The Kind of Leaders the World Needs

This past year has seen important elections in many nations, with the U.S. presidential election regarded as the most consequential. But of course, the winners of state and local elections also matter. People wielding control over the lives of others is always a serious issue. Sadly, the political profession is notorious for people breaking promises and advancing themselves and their associates in unscrupulous ways. What ought we to see instead?

It seems like everyone has their own ideas about what qualities are essential for someone in public office-or leaders in general. But if we want genuine answers on this topic, the best place to look is the Bible. Scripture has a lot to say on the topic of leadership. It defines a good leader as someone who is a servant leader. This is something Jesus Christ clearly laid out in Matthew 20: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:26-28, New International Version).

Jesus' focus was not on trying to promote an image of greatness for Himself, but rather of serving those under Him. As an object lesson, Jesus modeled the true servant style of leadership by washing His disciples' feet (John 13:14). Servant leaders do not see themselves as "too important" to "do the dirty work." They use their positions and abilities to help others. They do not seek public office to garner wealth, status or influence-which can again be a common motive for so many politicians today, even if they don't readily admit it-or engage in vicious, unprincipled rivalry to gain power.

Besides evaluating leadership in those occupying or seeking office today, we should most importantly be striving to foster the qualities of good leadership in ourselves. You might think: "Well, I'm just an average citizen. I have no interest in obtaining a political office. None of this applies to me."

But it does.

You might be a parent, husband, boss, manager, minister, teacher, coach, chairman of a committee at church, or hold an office with your homeowners' association. These are all leadership positions. But even if you don't have an "official" leadership role, there are always opportunities to be leaders on an informal basis, such as offering guidance to others or influencing a group discussion. You need to be ready to lead with a servant mindset. This will not only improve present situations and help people right now, but it will also help prepare you for a future role in God's coming Kingdom.

The Bible tells us that Jesus will be returning to the earth as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (Revelation 11:15; Revelation 19:16). Today's Christians will have the opportunity to assist Jesus Christ and rule over cities as kings and priests in the Kingdom of God (Revelation 5:10; Luke 19:15-19). To prepare for these positions, we should be developing the qualities of servant leadership in our lives right now.

Exactly what are some of the most important traits of a servant leader that we should be working on? Many different characteristics could be discussed here, but these six are some of the most essential leadership qualities highlighted in the Bible:

1. Servant leaders focus on serving, not being served

The hallmark characteristic of a servant leader is being concerned for others. We should be using our energies, resources and any position we may have to strengthen and help other people, not just to fulfill our personal desires. Servant leaders don't use people to build their empires or egos. They are willing to forego their rights and desires if it's in the best interests of those they are leading.

In real-life terms, this means government leaders would use tax revenue to benefit the people being governed, not to buy influence for themselves. A teacher might put in extra time after school to tutor a student in need, even though it cuts into personal time. The owner of a company will take to heart the concerns of employees and make appropriate changes, even if it means sacrificing some personal desires.

Even if we aren't in an "official" leadership position, we can still practice this kind of leadership. For instance, we might run an errand for our elderly neighbor, even though we have a lot of chores we could be doing at our house. We will make the time to visit a lonely widow even when we have a busy schedule. We might be hosting a get-together and would really like to limit the guest list to our immediate circle of friends, but we'll include people from church who often get "lost in the crowd" and could use the fellowship opportunity.

When people know that their leaders (and others they look up to) are others-centered and not self-centered, it builds trust and overall harmony, and that's very encouraging to those being served.

2. Servant leaders are humble

Another important aspect of servant leadership Jesus emphasized is humility. A classic statement from Him on the matter is found in Matthew 18:4: "Whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Christ truly lived this way. Even though He is our Lord-our Master and Ruler-He never promoted Himself. He on one occasion described Himself as "gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29, NIV).

Humility can mean different things in different circumstances, but one of the main ways it plays out, writes author Tim Tucker, is that "humble leaders choose to do humble things . . . the things that others don't want to do . . . the menial things, the dirty things, the things that no one will see" (Grab a Towel: Christ-Centered Servant Leadership for the 21st Century, 2023, p. 38).

I once attended church with a very successful, wealthy businessman who was a wonderful example of this. If a child threw up in church, if there was a stopped-up toilet in the restroom, or if one of the elderly members needed assistance going through the potluck dinner line, he was always the first to volunteer to help with the situation. No task was "beneath him."

Humble leaders also don't vie for the spotlight. Another author writes, "As long as leaders worry about who ‘sits at the head table,' they have little time for the people they are called to serve" (Gene Wilkes, Jesus on Leadership: Timeless Wisdom on Servant Leadership, 2016, p. 38). He emphasized that servant leaders are content to quietly serve "in the background." Their goal is to please God, not to "climb to the top of the heap."

3. Servant leaders lead with integrity

Proverbs 11:3 tells us, "The integrity of the upright guides them" (English Standard Version). And Proverbs 10:9 declares, "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely . . ."-then warning, ". . . but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out" (ESV).

Integrity can be defined as always interacting with others ethically, honestly and honorably. Servant leaders will not say something just to try to gain a following or to create a temporary peace among the people under them, and then later renege on what they promised. They are straightforward and reliable, and follow through on commitments. This inspires trust. Those led by them have no reasons to doubt or disbelieve what they've said.

We might think about some of the stereotypes of politicians here, but we should consider ourselves. As one father admitted: "Too many times lately I've told my kids we could go to the lake on the coming Sunday and then I got involved with yardwork and we never made it there. After that happened a few times, my kids started rolling their eyes anytime I said we could have some fun." We all need to watch ourselves, to make sure before we make a commitment that we are prepared to follow through on it.

4. Servant leaders direct the glory to God, not themselves

In typical political ads, campaign speeches or public debates, much of the focus is: "Look at all my accomplishments!" And that often continues if elected. More often than not, those in public office are preoccupied with making themselves look as good as possible-without acknowledging what God may have done to bring about any positive developments.

An obvious example in the Bible of someone who did not acknowledge God as our provider is King Nebuchadnezzar, who walked around his palace musing about his great building projects in Babylon in honor of his majesty-for which God brought judgment to teach him the needed lesson (Daniel 4:28-33).

Self-glorying is the exact opposite mindset from what God wants us to have, and servant leaders know that. In the book of Psalms, numerous passages tell us to "give glory" to God's name or similarly to "magnify" God (see Psalms 29:2; Psalms 34:3; Psalms 35:27; Psalms 40:16; Psalms 69:30; Psalms 70:4; Psalms 115:1). We glorify God when we recognize and extol His attributes and acts, expressing our thankfulness for His direction and intervention in our lives.

Godly leaders never take full credit for their successes. They always point to God's oversight and help. They may certainly acknowledge that they worked hard. But they give the ultimate glory to God and thank Him for what He has done. Godly leaders know that without God's help and guidance, they would just be "spinning their wheels," getting nowhere.

5. Servant leaders are approachable

The publisher of a community newspaper I worked for years ago was probably one of the most "unavailable" people I have ever known. The doors to his office were always shut. He rarely picked up his phone if anyone called him. If an employee saw him in the hallway and approached him about a problem, he roared a one-word answer and walked away. Not surprisingly, employee morale was horrible. Most everyone had concerns but felt like nothing would ever be solved, as the boss showed no willingness to hear what they had to say. It all underscored just how important approachability is if you're going to lead other people, particularly if you want to be a servant leader.

Being approachable means people feel comfortable coming to you and talking with you. It includes making yourself available to people of all positions and classes, not just those you perceive to be at "your level" in society.

In his book quoted earlier, Tim Tucker maintains that Jesus was the most approachable man who ever lived. Crowds followed Him, and Jesus did not place limits on His approachability. People from all walks of life felt they could approach Him, engage Him, ask Him questions, and make requests of Him.

We, too, should seek to be approachable, stresses Tucker, but it's not always easy. "One of the hardest things about being approachable is that it means people will find it easy to share their grievances, pain and disappointment with us," he writes. But "as leaders, we need to be sure that we are able to accept criticism and things spoken in ‘tough love' with humbleness and gentleness" (p. 40).

6. Servant leaders recognize they're not the ultimate authority and not invincible

Finally, a servant leader knows that he is accountable to God for how he cares for the people under him-that he is never to mistreat, abuse, neglect, deceive, or use them to his advantage. He recognizes his own limited authority and that he, too, has to answer to someone-perhaps other people but ultimately God.

Molly, a mother of two preschoolers, relates: "There are days when I am so exhausted that I find myself getting irritable with my kids. But then I have to remind myself that my children are truly God's children. He gave them to my husband and me to raise. We will have to answer to God in how we cared for them. Remembering that helps me be more patient with them."

Servant leaders also realize they have limited abilities, that they do not have all the answers, and that we all need God. Jesus Christ told us in John 15:5, "Without Me you can do nothing." We need Christ in our lives. He was also quick to point out that "the Son can do nothing of Himself" and stated, "My Father is greater than I" (John 5:19; John 14:28). Even in His exalted position, Christ had no problem admitting that He isn't the ultimate authority-that He is submitted to God the Father.

A godly leader will encourage those under him to look to God as their true provider. If this leader were a ruler of a country and there were a national crisis of some kind, he might proclaim a national fast or day of prayer, seeking God's intervention. In a family situation, a father might encourage family members to pray and fast and seek God's guidance when facing serious household financial challenges. Godly leaders realize how much we all need God.

In closing, we certainly don't see a lot of these qualities of servant leadership in our world today. But when Christ returns, servant leadership will be the way that rulers govern. Those who lead in God's Kingdom will have learned to be the servant of all (Matthew 20:26). And the populace will benefit from being led by rulers who really do have their best interests at heart.

Until then, we should seek God's help in striving to lead in a Christlike manner in our daily lives. Doing so will create harmony and encourage those we interact with at home, church, work, and in our communities. Let's be the kind of leaders the world needs.

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