Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Romans 12:2 MSG
Servant leadership is a non-traditional leadership philosophy that emphasizes the well-being of those being served. It is based on the belief that the most effective leaders strive to serve others, rather than accrue power or take control. Servant leadership seeks to involve others in decision-making, is strongly based in ethical and caring behavior, and enhances the growth of workers while improving the caring and quality of organizational life.
Servant leaders know the value of the organization is found within a team. They strive to make team members feel appreciated and vital to the organization. Servant leaders look around at team members and ask themselves how they can serve each of them better.
There are days in leadership that you do not feel like serving anyone else. When you are exhausted and tired, you may wish everything didn't have to be a discussion. I have felt those days. Yet, as the team environment shifts with servant leadership, the values far exceed the intentional time in growing in this area of management.
In John 13:1-17, we find the most beautiful model of servant leadership where Jesus is washing the feet of the disciples. Hierarchy and job titles could not be found in this model of serving others.
In two weeks, we will lean into additional Scriptural examples of servant leadership.
Praying for you through all of your leadership decisions,
Ashley