Essay Example on Jesus: A Model for Transformative Leadership

Leadership is a complex and proactive process that encompasses the capability of influencing outcomes of specific individuals to meet pre-determined goals and objectives. Over the years, particular strategies and leadership styles have been incorporated within organizations, businesses, and learning facilities to ensure efficacy and realization of the set goals and targets. However, the bible has brought out a novel approach to leadership following the life of Jesus on Earth. Jesus, the Son of God, implemented a unique and rather humble leadership model that created a massive impression towards his disciples and followers. Despite his death over 200 years ago, large masses of Christians live by the leadership model and mantra of servant leadership that he displayed while still on Earth. This paper shall focus on the relevance of servant leadership in business organizations and learning facilities and how it can increase effectiveness and results achieved. The paper shall discuss the various literature collected from the articles about Jesus’ teachings and servant leadership and briefly explain how this servant leadership can be implemented within education and business organizations.

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Dr. Thorsten Grahn denied servant leadership, "it is the focus on the growth of the individual, that they might flourish and achieve their full potential and not primarily the growth and potential of the organization," (Grahn, 2019). Servant leadership entails the need for changing and affecting individuals rather than the institutions or facilities. Robert Green addressed the servant leader model through five essential virtues. These include a voluntary servant, a leader, a servant, and a teacher. The servant-leader ensures that they submit themselves wholly to others than personal interests (Grahn, 2019). Effective servant leaders use their power to serve others instead of their interests. They use love, and this propels them to serve others and teach them through words and actions to ensure that the values and beliefs are deeply embedded in their hearts (Grahn, 2019).

Jesus was aa servant even though he was the leader and teacher to his disciples. His actions and words were focused on impacting the lives of his followers. He committed his life towards service to others, and this is the key mantra of servant leadership (Marg, 2014). It does not entail organizational or personal gains but rather the need to help others reach their optimal level of productivity to the society, organization, etc. In Luke 22: 42 it states, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done "Even at the darkest moment of his life before his crucifixion, Jesus Christ asked that God's will may be done but rather not his. He placed priority and was ready to sacrifice his life for the sake of others"(Marg, 2014). Servant leadership is a commitment to serve and being a voluntary servant of God. (Marg, 2014) The three dimensions of leadership entail that Christian servant leaders are voluntary servants of God, servant of others, and finally act as a leader (Marg, 2014). Servant leadership [ through Jesus focused on working on His followers and achieving their full potential for the kingdom of God. Jesus devoted His ministry to help his followers to learn God's word and have a place in the kingdom of God.

Despite it all, Jesus guides his followers on embracing humility and working towards serving others. He also teaches them that we are all equal and discourages the principles of power and authority over others (Sohn, 2020). He encouraged an egalitarian system that ignited the need to serve other members of the society rather than oneself. Luke Kueper states that servant leadership through Jesus is based on "love, not only knowledge, begins in the heart and flows from a heart of compassion and generosity” (Sohn, 2020).

The lessons of Jesus Christ can effectively streamline leadership within education and businesses. Great management is based on focusing on talents and the strengths of the employees. Jesus Christ encouraged service to others (McHale, 2012). Therefore, servant leadership in the workstations shall help in ensuring that there is confidence building, career development, and efficacy to enhance efficiency and meet the pre-determined goals by the organization. Great leadership displayed by Jesus help in establishing solutions, connect with people and deliver results (McHale, 2012). Just as Jesus taught by words, he presented all he taught through his deeds. His level of humility shall help in establishing success in the firm (McHale, 2012). Great management is initiated through humility in leaders; great managers base their selection of employees on talent and instead focus on the strengths of individuals (McHale, 2012). Jesus Christ forgave sinners and taught everyone the word of God and live how God expects each one of them to live. Just as greet managers shall always focus on the talents and strengths of the employees to reach their full potential (McHale, 2012). Servant leadership is individual-centric and enhances total potential productivity just as the teachings of Christ were to ensure that his followers had the merit to be accepted by his father, God.

In education, Jesus' teachings shall help in ensuring there is a primary focus on the performance of the students. According to the three dimensions of servant leadership, being a servant of others is critical (Dodd, 2015). Tutors and professors need to prioritize their students' performance over their remuneration. Their learning techniques should propel the student to reach their full potential to ensure proactive success in their academic lives. They should detach with passion and not just as their role or responsibility (Dodd, 2015). Through compassion, Jesus Christ taught relentlessly and dedicated his entire ministry in serving others.

Conclusion

Servant leadership is a novel approach and rather queer in the business world, however, its doctrines are geared towards collaborative teamwork and emphasis towards the followers. Servant leadership by Jesus shall help managers to interact effectively with their subordinates and establish good working relations. The intense focus shall help the subordinates reach their full potential of their talents resulting in high productivity and performance.

References

Dodd, B. (2015). 14 Leadership Lessons from The Life of Jesus. Retrieved 19 June 2020, from http://briandoddonleadership.com/2015/07/12/14-leadership-lessons-from-the-life-of-jesus/

Grahn, T. (2019). Jesus: The Role Model for Christian Leadership - One Another Ministries. Retrieved 19 June 2020, from http://christian-leadership.org/jesus-the-role-model-for-christian-leaders/

Marg, M. (2014). JESUS’ TEACHING ON LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY IN MATTHEW’S GOSPEL. Retrieved 19 June 2020, from http://newlife.id.au/christian-living/jesus-teaching-on-leadership-and-community-in-matthews-gospel/

McHale, N. (2012). Great leaders lead great teams. Human Resource Management International Digest, 20(4), 3-5. doi: 10.1108/09670731211233258

Sohn, P. (2020). 12 Leadership Lessons Everyone Should Learn from Jesus. Retrieved 19 June 2020, from http://paulsohn.org/12-life-lessons-every-leader-should-learn-from-jesus/