A Serving Leadership Definition

There are basically two types of leadership: Relational leadership and organizational leadership. The first one is based on your life roles whereas the second one on title and position. While we exercise leadership in both realms, we do not need a formal leadership position to be a leader. Everyone has the ability to influence others in multiple roles and thus has leadership.

Jesus did not exercise organizational leadership since he had no formal position, power, or authority. Yet, no one has influenced the world more than he has. He was a leader worth following, focused on a higher purpose—his Father’s will. People followed him because of his life role and relationships; authority and power were attributed to him based on who he was and what he did. His leadership flowed from authenticity rather than coercion or force.

Jesus called his disciples and developed them for a mission far beyond what he could accomplish personally. John 14:12 records that Jesus set them up for success: "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."

When people's thinking and behaviors are changed to the point that they can continue their leader's mission, they are developed for success. Most parents feel successful when their children carry on their values and legacy. Leaders of any enterprise are only successful if they raise up successors to carry on the purpose and goals of the organization.

Hence we come to a serving leadership definition captured by Christ's life and mission: A serving leader is someone worth following who accomplishes a higher purpose by developing others.

Relational leadership is most important as it sets you up for successful organizational leadership. There's nothing wrong with titles and positions, but relying solely on the power or authority that those titles and positions give you will seriously undermine the real influence you can have on the people you lead.

[My next post will examine two roles of serving leadership.]