Do you want to lead like Jesus? Who wouldn’t? Jesus is the greatest leader that ever lived. I love studying Jesus and the things He did during His earthly ministry.
Because He is God, whatever insights I am shown are only be a small glimpse into His impact but I still love dissecting passages of Scripture for what I can learn.
One of the Bible’s most famous historical events was Jesus walking on the water located in Matthew 14:22-33. As I read the text from a leadership perspective, I discovered 13 Practices Effective Leaders Can Learn From Jesus.
- Effective Leaders Provide Clear Objectives For Their Team – v. 22 – “Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side.”
- Effective Leaders Schedule Times Of Solitude – v. 23 – “And when He had sent the multitude away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.”
- Effective Leaders Anticipate Challenges – v. 24 – “But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.”
- Effective Leaders Engage These Challenges – v. 25 – “Jesus went to them”
- Effective Leaders Then Do What Only They Can Do In For Organization – v. 25 “walking on the sea.”
- Effective Leaders Listen To Their Teams – v. 26 – “they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out for fear.”
- Highly Effective Leaders Immediately Respond To Their Teams’ Concerns. They Are Not Passive – v.27 – “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I: do not be afraid.”
- Effective Leaders Model Behavior – v. 28-29 – “And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water?’ So He said, ‘Come.'”
- Effective Leaders Give Their Teams Permission To Fail – v. 30 – “But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sink.”
- Effective Leaders Provide Solutions – v.31 – “And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him.”
- Effective Leaders Look For Teachable Moments – v.31 – “(Jesus) said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
- Effective Leaders Will Change The Environment For Better Or Worse By Simply Walking Into The Room – v.32 – “And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.”
- Effective Leaders Allow God To Tell His Amazing Story Through Their Lives – v.33 – “Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God.'”
When I compare my leadership to that of Jesus, I fall woefully short. Everyday I am reminded of the vast difference between Jesus and myself. It is only by His grace and what He did for me on the cross that I am worthy to lead anything. It is certainly not because of my competencies, background, experiences, or network.
Perhaps by learning more about Him from Scripture and allowing Him to live through my life, maybe tomorrow I can be a better leader.
How about you?
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