#389, January 8, 2025
Leaders call others to follow, but leaders also follow! Paul was an amazing leader in so many ways. He was an apostle, a pioneer in the early church, a church planter, an author, and a developer of other leaders. Yet consider his call to the believers in Corinth:
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1, NIV).
Paul packs a lot of leadership principles in this short sentence! He calls the Corinthians to follow his example, a basic leadership action. But he calls them to follow “as I follow…Christ”. Paul was a leader and a follower. Paul was stating a reality that many leaders overlook, leaders also follow. In this exhortation Paul acknowledged that he was first a follower, then a leader. Because he followed, he called others to follow. In this series, we’ll look at four categories of people that good leaders follow. In this issue, we’ll examine how serving leaders follow those in authority over them.
All legitimate leaders are under some authority. All leaders are subject to the laws imposed by their governments. Many leaders have a direct boss or supervisor. Other leaders have a board or governing body that provides directions. Church leaders have overseers, bishops or others to which they are accountable. In democratic nations, presidents are accountable to the citizens who elect them. Business owners are accountable to their customers, employees, investors and the laws under which they operate.
How do serving leaders follow those who are in authority over them?
Serving leaders follow those over them by respecting their authority.
Paul clearly recognized the authority Christ had over him. His following was a willing acknowledgment that Christ had the authority to tell him what to do. He did not resist that authority; instead, he showed respect and followed willingly.
Some leaders drag their feet or become annoyed at any suggestion from authority. They might show outward agreement with the authority but quietly let everyone around know that they do not like what is happening. They don’t fully respect the right of the boss or the board to tell them what to do.
But serving leaders acknowledge and respect those over them. They talk respectfully about those over them. Even when they disagree with a direction or decision, they voice their view respectfully and respect the right of their authority to make a final decision.
Serving leaders follow those over them by supporting their priorities.
Paul said that he followed “the example” of Christ. He understood the priorities of Christ and he sought to live those out in his daily practice.
Some leaders don’t even care about the priorities of those over them. They simply pursue their own dream. Others pay lip service to the priorities of those above them but don’t act on them in their daily leadership. But serving leaders seek to understand and implement the priorities of those over them.
Serving leaders follow those over them by seeking their success.
Paul didn’t measure his success by what he wanted. Instead, he was focused on carrying out the mission that was given to him by Jesus. Before he encountered Jesus, he was focused on his own goals; now, he simply wanted to see the mission of Jesus succeed.
Some leaders focus their leadership energy on their own success. They make decisions based on how they will benefit and how that action will make their dream happen. But serving leaders seek the success of those in authority over them. Ultimately, they lead to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (see Mt. 25:23).
Serving leaders see those who are in authority over them as a blessing and gladly follow!
For further reflection and discussion:
- What is my heart attitude towards those in authority over me? How do I reflect this in my leadership? What is the impact of my attitude on those who follow me?
- How clearly do I understand the priorities of those in authority over me? What have I done to clarify my understanding of these priorities? Are my leadership actions aligned with those priorities or do I quietly implement what I believe is most important?
- Do I measure success by my own metrics or by the goals of those in authority over me? How does this impact the way those under me measure success?
Until next time, yours on the journey,
Jon Byler
In the next issue, we’ll look at how leaders follow those ahead of them.