There’s a stark contrast between leading like any ordinary person and leading like Jesus.
This distinction lies in the approach. Leading like Jesus isn’t about power or control, it’s about service and love. It’s about putting others first and leading with humility.
Emulating Jesus in leadership involves a set of nine unique qualities that are not just great to possess, but also transformative.
In this article, we’ll explore these nine qualities that will help you not just lead, but lead like Jesus. If you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level, then buckle up and let’s dive into this journey of transformation!
1) Servant leadership
In the realm of leadership, there’s no greater example than Jesus Himself. And the cornerstone of His approach? Servant leadership.
Let’s be clear here, being a servant leader doesn’t mean being submissive or weak. Rather, it’s about putting the needs of others before your own.
This concept is embedded in the teachings of Jesus. He led by serving others and encouraged His followers to do the same.
Think about it. Jesus washed the feet of his followers, a task typically reserved for the lowest servants. He did this not because he had to, but because he wanted to show them how they should treat each other.
This is not just a lesson for those times, but a timeless principle for all leaders. If you want to lead like Jesus, start with becoming a servant leader.
Remember, true leadership is not about wielding power, but about empowering others. A servant leader prioritizes the growth and well-being of their team above their own needs or desires.
And here’s the beautiful paradox – by placing others first, a servant leader often earns more respect and loyalty. There’s power in humility and service, and that’s a lesson we all can learn from Jesus.
But remember, just like with everything else in life, sincerity is key. Be genuine in your desire to serve others, or else it could come across as manipulative.
2) Compassion
An essential leadership quality that Jesus demonstrated during his time on earth was compassion. He showed genuine care and concern for people in all walks of life, from the sick and the poor to the sinners and outcasts of society.
Let me share a personal story about the power of leading with compassion.
When I first took on a leadership role in a nonprofit organization, I was eager to make changes and improvements. There was this one team member who was consistently underperforming. My initial reaction was frustration. I considered letting him go, thinking he was slowing down the rest of the team.
But instead of acting on my first instinct, I chose to take a page from Jesus’ book – I decided to lead with compassion.
I sat down with him and had an open, non-judgmental conversation about his struggles at work. To my surprise, I discovered that he was dealing with a serious personal issue. His underperformance was not due to a lack of interest or motivation, but because of his difficult circumstances.
I provided him with some resources and gave him some time off to deal with his personal issue. When he returned, not only did his performance improve drastically, but he also became one of the most dedicated members of our team.
This experience taught me that leading like Jesus means leading with compassion – seeing beyond the performance metrics and understanding the human being behind them.
Remember, a compassionate leader can turn a struggling team member into a star performer. But more than that, it shows everyone in your team that you genuinely care about them – not just as workers, but as human beings.
3) Humility
Humility is another key quality that sets Jesus apart as a leader. Despite being the Son of God, He never saw himself as being above anyone else. In fact, He actively chose to humble himself, even to the point of death on a cross.
In ancient Rome, crucifixion was considered one of the most shameful ways to die. It was typically reserved for slaves, criminals, and rebels. Yet Jesus, who could have easily avoided this fate, willingly accepted it.
Why? Because He wanted to show us the depth of His love and the extent of His humility. It is a profound lesson in self-sacrifice and putting others before oneself.
Humility in leadership involves recognizing that you’re not always the smartest person in the room. It’s about learning from others, acknowledging your mistakes, and being open to feedback.
And here’s something fascinating – research has shown that humble leaders are more effective and better liked. According to a study published in the Journal of Management, teams led by humble leaders exhibited higher levels of job satisfaction and performance.
So if you want to lead like Jesus, embrace humility. Not only will it make you a more effective leader, but it’ll also earn you the respect and loyalty of your team.
4) Forgiveness
Jesus is perhaps most famous for his teachings on forgiveness. He urged us to forgive not just once, but seventy times seven – essentially, an infinite amount of times.
In leadership, forgiveness is a powerful tool. It creates an environment where people feel safe to take risks, make mistakes and learn from them.
Consider the parable of the Prodigal Son. The father in this story represents God, and he forgives his son’s reckless behavior without hesitation. He doesn’t hold a grudge or demand an apology; he simply welcomes his son back with open arms.
As a leader, it’s important to foster this same culture of forgiveness within your team or organization. Don’t hold grudges against those who make mistakes – instead, encourage them to learn and grow from their experiences.
Remember, everyone makes mistakes. What matters most is how we respond to them. By choosing forgiveness over resentment, you can create a positive and productive work environment that fosters growth and innovation.
5) Integrity
Jesus was a leader who led with integrity. He walked the walk and talked the talk, setting an example for others to follow.
Integrity is about being true to your word, being honest, and upholding your values even when no one is watching. It’s about doing the right thing, even if it’s not the most popular or convenient option.
One of the most poignant examples of Jesus’ integrity is his interaction with Pontius Pilate before his crucifixion. Despite the dire circumstances, Jesus stayed true to His message and mission.
As a leader, it’s critical to demonstrate integrity. Your team will trust and respect you more if they see that your actions align with your words.
Moreover, leaders with integrity inspire their teams to also act with honesty and honor. This creates a culture of trust and respect within the organization, which is crucial for its long-term success.
So strive to lead with integrity just like Jesus did. It may be challenging at times, but remember, true leadership is about setting a positive example for others to follow.
6) Love
At the heart of Jesus’ leadership was love. His love for humanity was so profound that He gave His life for us. He taught us to love one another as He loved us – unconditionally and sacrificially.
Love is not a word we often associate with leadership, especially in the corporate world. But leading with love can create a powerful bond within your team or organization.
Leading with love means genuinely caring about your team members. It means empathizing with their struggles, celebrating their victories, and supporting them through their challenges.
When your team feels loved and valued, they’re more likely to be committed, productive, and loyal. They’ll go the extra mile not because they have to, but because they want to.
So don’t be afraid to lead with love. It may feel vulnerable and even risky at times. But remember, it was love that drove Jesus to lead in the way that He did – and His leadership has impacted billions of people throughout history.
Let’s strive to lead with the same kind of love. It’s not just about being a good leader; it’s about being a good human being.
7) Patience
Patience is a subtle, yet powerful quality that Jesus exemplified in His leadership. He patiently taught His disciples, endured opposition, and waited for His divine timing.
There was this situation at work when I had to spearhead a major project. It was a high-stakes situation and I was feeling the pressure. The team was working hard but we kept hitting roadblocks and progress was slow.
It was tempting to push harder, demand more, and rush the process. But I remembered Jesus’ example of patience. I realized that true leadership isn’t about pushing people to their limits for immediate results. It’s about guiding them steadily towards long-term success.
So, I chose patience over pressure. I reassured the team that it’s okay to take our time to do things right. We gradually overcame the challenges and successfully completed the project. Surprisingly, the end result was better than what we initially aimed for.
Emulating Jesus’ patience in leadership allows your team to grow at their own pace and builds a culture of trust and respect. It shows that you value their well-being over immediate results, which can lead to greater success in the long run.
8) Resilience
Jesus displayed remarkable resilience throughout His life. He faced unimaginable trials and tribulations, from rejection and betrayal to immense physical suffering. Yet, He remained steadfast in His mission.
Resilience is a crucial quality for any leader. It’s the ability to withstand adversity, bounce back from failures, and keep going in the face of challenges.
Leadership often involves navigating uncertain and difficult circumstances. But just like Jesus, a resilient leader doesn’t let setbacks deter them. Instead, they see challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.
Being a resilient leader also means fostering resilience within your team. Encourage them to embrace challenges, learn from their mistakes, and keep striving towards their goals regardless of the obstacles they encounter.
Remember, it’s not about avoiding hardships but about persevering through them that defines true leadership. So follow in Jesus’ footsteps and lead with resilience.
9) Vision
Jesus had a clear and compelling vision – the Kingdom of God. He consistently talked about this vision, illustrating it with parables and lived it out through His actions.
As a leader, having a robust vision is paramount. It’s the compass that guides your decisions, motivates your team, and shapes your organization’s culture.
But it’s not enough to just have a vision. You need to communicate it effectively and consistently, just as Jesus did. Your team should understand and share your vision. They should see how their work contributes to this larger goal.
Your vision is the driving force that propels your team forward. It gives purpose to their efforts and inspires them to give their best. So, lead like Jesus: have a clear, compelling vision and live it out with passion and conviction.
Final thoughts: A call to lead
In the realm of leadership, the example set by Jesus stands unparalleled. His qualities of servant leadership, compassion, humility, forgiveness, integrity, love, patience, resilience, and vision offer timeless wisdom for effective leadership.
While these qualities may seem daunting to embrace all at once, remember that becoming a leader like Jesus is a journey, not a destination.
As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” So whether you are leading a team at work, a family at home, or simply leading your own life, the time is always right to lead like Jesus.
Consider how you can incorporate these qualities into your own leadership style. Reflect on how they can transform not just your team or organization but also yourself as a leader.
Jesus led by serving others, loving unconditionally, and staying true to His mission. He showed us that true leadership is not about power or control but about love and service.
So as we conclude this exploration of Jesus’ leadership qualities, let’s leave you with this final thought: How can you lead like Jesus in your own sphere of influence? The answer to this question could very well redefine your approach to leadership.
