You don't always have to be out front to be the leader. Sometimes you have to step down and lead from behind. Humility can be your greatest leadership tool.
The overarching objective is effectiveness. It is not always the person in the fore-front that can get the job done. Leaders are often seen as imposing, charismatic and even god-like on many occasions. For mere mortals it is hard to stand next to someone with such greatness. When people are intimidated by you for whatever reason they may feel a sense of inadequacy among other self-defeating emotions. These insecurities often result in inertia. Not doing anything for fear that it won't come out just right. Or it won't be as good as the next person.
It can also result in individuals just allowing the smarter one, the leader, to do everything. Because they feel like they have more talent, or more ability than they do. When this happens growth stops. Development stops. Every positive thing that was taking place prior to this moment is at a standstill.
The Jesus model emphasizes servant leadership. Becoming equal to prove greatness. Pulling off your titles, crowns and royal robes and taking on equal sometimes even inferior status to demonstrate the greatness in others is an admirable quality.
The Hospitality Example
In my leadership class I often share with my students how one of my greatest mentors became equal to show us greatness. Early on in my hospitality career, after being promoted to front office manager at a hotel in downtown Orlando, our hotel was bombarded with lunch guests. Apparently there as a seminar at the then Orlando Arena that we had not heard about. When I walked out of my office I noticed a line of people out to the street for our restaurant. The hospitality industry is known for its team building framework. All managers of all departments were trained to come to one another's aid. So, it didn't matter if I worked the front desk, if the restaurant was in trouble my department would come to their aid and vice versa.
As I prepared to send some of my team members to the restaurant to help out, my General Manager came down the elevator and saw the crises. What he did next utterly blew me away. Here stood a man with a custom tailored suit, several hundred-dollar shoes, and hair coiffed to perfection every day. He walked into my office, took off his jacket, laid it across my desk, rolled up his perfectly starched sleeves and walked into the kitchen to start washing dishes. I was in utter shock for a few minutes. If you could picture the perfect corporate hospitality model. His face would be there. Not a hair out of place, not a wrinkle in his suit ever, yet he humbled himself to what some would call a menial task like washing dishes. Now, he could have easily started chatting with some of the guests to calm nerves, etc. But that's not where he was needed. He went right where he was needed. The objective was to get the guests in and out as soon as possible so they could get back to their seminar on time. His humbling actions left an indelible mark
on my life. At that moment I really did learn the true meaning of servant leadership. I vowed to follow those footsteps. Whenever I get weary I see that pivotal moment of servant leadership in my mind's eye and I roll up my sleeves and humble to the cause.
The Ultimate Servant Example
In another utterly amazing story, scripture teaches us that Jesus, the perfect model for servant leadership came from a holy, immaculate, exquisite home to be born in a dirty, stinky stable alongside animals and hay. Why, would he do that? His actions were so that we could be redeemed. The creator of the universe became man so that he could lead him to heaven.
In the Old Testament he led as God. There was very little kinship and camaraderie with the people. God being so holy could only relate to those he had called and anointed for the task. It was difficult to build a relationship with a God of judgment. He was one to be feared not one to talk to as your friend. Only a few special people like Noah, Abraham and Moses had that privilege.
In the New Testament. With titles taken off all of that changed. Now everyone had the privilege of speaking to him as a friend, a confidant and personal redeemer. No longer was he unapproachable. No longer did you feel intimated by his presence. Upon his leaving this earth he announced that all of the power that he had was now given unto us. We now could do the same things that he did while on earth.
While in the Old Testament we only had a few people he could commune with, in the New Testament and subsequent ages millions of people are able to communicate with him on a personal level. Millions of people are now able to carry out his work and do the good that he foresaw.
What a great way to be effective. What a great way to get the job done.
Humility Shines Bright
So, here on earth in order to be effective sometimes we have to take off of the titles and big robes and degreed statuses to help others understand their greatness. When you know who you are. When you have come to a certain place of maturity you no longer need titles to do the work you are called to do. If the objective is to help others achieve their greatness sometimes you have to become as others to help them see all that they are capable of being and becoming. As long as you are out front they are always looking to you and they can never see themselves.
Now, stepping back is going to be hard. Especially when people are used to you stepping forward. It will not only be hard for them it will be hard for you.
The innate qualities of a born leader are automatic. Leaders find themselves being creative, coming up with ideas, solving problems and the whole gamut. But if you are not careful you will find yourself alone in these endeavors. Your leadership persona can be too much. It's overpowering. And people can feel overwhelmed by your presence and your actions; thus leading to follower's inertia.
Inspire and Empower
Empowering others requires patience and a stillness in one's spirit. You will often be misunderstood. Some will think you have abandoned them. They will feel like you are letting them down. They will feel all sorts of emotions. But at the end of the day those with leadership potential will step forward and you can gently guide from behind.
Let me the first to tell you it will hurt for your actions to be misunderstood, but you have to remain true to the greater purpose. If the greater purpose is to empower then remain true the calling. Many didn't understand why Jesus had to die. They didn't understand why he had to leave them. Here was God in the flesh allowing man to crucify him. Unspeakable! Unheard of! Why? The answer is simple. He did all of that so that you and I can be empowered today. So that you and I can do greater than he did.
As a leader, the objective is to be effective. To show others their greatness. To empower the weak and stand beside the strong. Others will never see their greatness as long as they are walking in your shadow. Stand aside and allow their light to shine. Become a servant leader and make an indelible impact on your followers. Allow them to see and embrace their greatness!!
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