Issue #89, August 29, 2012
What are common actions that the best leaders do well?* In the next five issues we’ll look at specific actions that all effective leaders do well and reflect on how Paul demonstrated the way servant leaders act in these areas. The first of these actions is to model the way. The best leaders don’t just tell people what to do; they show them what to do. Effective leadership begins with self-leadership, being the kind of person others should imitate. After all, if you aren’t worth following, why should I follow you?
Examine Paul’s example of modeling the way.
Paul's primary passion was simply to follow Jesus, not to be a leader or a hero. But in his pursuit of following Jesus he was a powerful example of servant leadership and greatly influenced others because of his life. In addition, he also intentionally modeled the way for those he led and called them imitate him. Consider Pauls’ bold statement, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1) At first glance, this statement might seem arrogant and inappropriate for a servant leader. But Paul recognized that one way to serve those who followed him was to be an effective model and to deliberately call them to follow his example. When he met with the Ephesian elders he carefully reminded them of how he had lead them. He deliberately used his life as a model for them to follow (read the account in Acts 20:18-35). Essentially, Paul says that his life was a model to them. He reminds them of his message, he describes his methods, and he reveals his motives. He speaks candidly with the elders and intentionally uses his own life to challenge them to do what he has done.
Understand the Power of modeling the way.
Instinctively, we all understand that people learn more from what we do than what we say. We’ve heard the saying, “What you are doing speaks so loudly that I can’t hear what you are saying.” It’s true in our homes, in our vocations, in our churches and communities. But as leaders, we often forget how powerful our example is. I teach a lot on servant leadership. But those I teach have often shared with me that what impacts them more than my teaching is what they observe from my life when I serve tea or do some menial task! My primary goal in these actions is not to show others; I am simply seeking to faithfully follow Jesus in my daily life. When we model the way, people learn to trust us. They learn that we are people of integrity and consistency. When we model lives of integrity over time, people learn that our word is dependable, our promise is secure, and our heart is pure.
Accept the Call to serve by modeling the way.
Paul’s example calls each of us to first live a life that is a model and to ask ourselves the question “Is my life worth imitating?” If we are committed to following Jesus in all we do, our lives will naturally be a model for others. Secondly, Paul’s example compels us to deliberately call others to imitate us. Servant leaders do this not to draw attention to or exalt themselves, but because they recognize how powerfully God can shape the lives of others by their own example of a life lived well. Even when they fail, their example of repentance and change becomes a model to follow.
The example of Paul shows that modeling the way is an effective expression of servant leadership. Are you a model…and are you calling others to follow your example? Take time to reflect on the questions below to help answer these critical questions.
For further reflection and discussion:
Reflect on these additional verses from Paul’s life: 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9; 2 Corinthians 8:21; Philippians 3:12, 4:9; Acts 20:18-35; Titus 2:7, 8
Is my life a model to others? Reflect on these questions:
- Are there secret sins in my life that hinder my effectiveness as a leader?
- How am I growing in my intimacy with Jesus?
- Is there a promise I made in the past month which I have not kept?
- Have I made a mistake for which I have not asked forgiveness?
- Are there ways in which I abuse my authority as a leader?
- Are there things I ask others to do that I am not doing?
- Do I have any broken relationships which I have not tried to rectify?
- Does my life exhibit more and more of the fruit of the Spirit?
- Do my leadership habits encourage others to be leaders?
- Is my conscience clear?
- Am I intentionally growing in Christlikeness?
- Am I deliberately calling others to follow my example? Who might God be asking me to speak to in a way that challenges them to use my life as a model?
*Credit: The five actions which we will examine are taken from “The Leadership Challenge, 4th Edition” by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner. These two authors did extensive research on leaders and concluded that these five actions were found in all effective leaders. I believe, in addition, that they are grounded in scriptural principles.