Jesus, the Ultimate Leader

We all know what a leader isn’t. No doubt you’ve encountered many anti-leaders. And we all suffer for it.

As an HR professional (well, what I’ve done for the previous twenty-three years), I’ve read a heap of books, sat through loads of seminars, and attended so many webinars (especially now, during this must-stay-at-home time) about leadership to last me until forever. If you Google the word leadership, “About 2,670,000,000 results” come up. There is money to be made for those who can articulate what truly makes a good leader and even more money for those that can help others get there. Because let’s be honest, there aren’t many truly good ones in the world. Oh, there are talented people. There are smart business folks. But talent doesn’t make a leader, as we all have experienced. So let me offer you someone that gets overlooked in the business world – Jesus.

Stay with me here. Even if you aren’t a follower of his, let me articulate why you should look at him and consider his attributes as the ultimate in leadership.

First, he’s honest. Jesus never lied. He told his followers from the moment he met them that life wouldn’t be easy if they joined with him; that a hard road was ahead. They followed anyway. Which leads me to my second point, he’s compelling. Here is a man that lived a rather unremarkable life, according to the world’s standards. He wasn’t rich. He wasn’t a scholar. But he studied the Torah and was impressive enough to be teaching the rabbis in the synagogue at age twelve. How’s that for a study in whether leaders are born or made?

Third, he listened. People came to him constantly with requests. (Sound familiar?) He heard them, and then gave them not necessarily what they asked for, but what they needed. And they were forever changed because of that encounter. If you have ever had the privilege of having someone truly give you that precious gift of time and listen with their heart to you, you know how this feels. It’s an encounter and not just a conversation. And it’s beautiful.

Finally, and most importantly, he loved people. He cared. People who treated him disdainfully, horribly, he responded with kindness and mercy. He cared nothing for money or what people could offer him. He served them out of love for them. A true leader puts the needs of others first. The circle of giving never stops – leader to person, person to leader.

If leaders behaved like Jesus, you’d see happy employees who take companies to crazy success. It’s proven. Not everyone is cut out for leadership, and that's okay. And it’s hard when you do it right. Your heart gets ripped out sometimes and you are usually tired. But the rewards, such as people (employees) that adore you and a legacy of kindness are very much worth it. Try it.