16 Practices Of Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus

There are a number of people from all walks of life who make me better leader every time they speak – Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban, Willow Creek Community Church senior pastor Bill Hybels, author Simon Sinek, professor and researcher Jim Collins, marketer Seth Godin, former quarterback Peyton Manning, sociologist Malcolm Gladwell, business consultant Patrick Lencioni, and others.

But there is one leader whose words and life impact me like no other – my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I was reminded of this again today as I read the text from Mark 4:35-41.  First is the lesson learned followed by the supporting text:

1. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Proactively Build Relationships With Their Teams – v. 35 – “He said to them” Leadership is about people.  You must get out of your office and engage them.  Stop by their desk and actually have a conversation with your team members.
2. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Do Things In The Context Of Community – v. 35 – “Let us”  We can do more together than we ever can individually.
3. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Move People Out Of Their Comfort Zones – v. 35 – “cross over to the other side.”  Smart leaders are always putting their teams in positions which will stretch and grow them.
4. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Understand The Importance Of Solitude – v. 36 – “Now when they had left the multitude”  Leaders must spend some time alone to think, plan, strategize and recalibrate.
5. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Are Leaders Are A Pleasure To Be Around – v. 36 – “they took Him along in the boat as He was.”  How does your team feel when you walk into a room or they see your name on their cell phone?  Does you team want to spend time with you or get away from you?
6. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Have Ever-Increasing Influence – v. 36 – “And other little boats are also with Him.”  Successful leaders stewards influence well.  It is always increasing or decreasing.  Smart leaders know which way it is trending and adjust accordingly.
7. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Are Prepared For Sudden Crisis – v. 37 – “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that is was already filling.”  Leadership exists for crisis situations.  It is crisis which reveals the mettle of a leaders.
8. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Bring A Sense of Calm And Self-Assurance – v. 38 – “But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.”  When everyone else is insecure and panicked, leading like Jesus means bringing assurance, security and perspective to your teams.
9. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Are Accessible – v. 38 – “And they awoke Him and said to Him”  Jesus has the ultimate open-door policy in the person of the Holy Spirit.  In this specific text, we learn the disciples knew Jesus was available and could be waken up.  How accessible are you?
10. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Are Often Misunderstood – v. 38 – “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”  Simply put, leaders have information and insights others do not.  It is part of the responsibility of being a leader.  As a result, people often do not understand why you make the decisions you do.
11. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Have Great Body Language And Presence – v. 39 – “Then He arose”  I have often wondered why Jesus even bothered to get out of bed to rebuke the wind.  He did not have to.  Jesus could have spoken “Peace, be still” from the comfort of his comfortable bed and soft pillow.  I think He stood because He understand the dramatic impact His physical presence would have.  Many times, a leader’s body language speaks louder than their words ever could.
12. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Solve Problems – v. 39 – “and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!”  A leader’s value is directly tied to his/her competence and ability to solve problems.
13. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Deliver Results – v. 39 – “And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”  What makes this a meaningful story is when Jesus spoke, the wind actually did cease.  The storm was over.  Great leaders deliver great results.
14. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Take Every Opportunity To Coach Their Teams – v. 40 – “But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?'”  Jesus used this incredible event to teach the disciples about their faith.  In victory or defeat, smart leaders are always looking for ways to impart wisdom.
15. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Are Deeply Respected – v. 41 – “And they feared exceedingly and said to one another”  As a leader, would you rather be liked or respected?  This is an age-old question but the answer is “Both”.  People have to be able to help you.  But people must also want to help you.
16. Leaders Who Lead Like Jesus Rely On Jesus – v. 41 – “Who can this be, that even the wind and sea obey Him!”  No matter how great a leader you may be, there is still a gap between your abilities and what God wants to do through you.  Only Jesus can fill that gap.

What is one thing you learned about Leading Like Jesus in this passage which will make you a better leader?

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