Humility in Leadership
Bob Marley once said in an interview (in true Jamaican style):
“When I check it out, the biggest man was a baby one time. So I don’t know where them get all these big ideas (that they) want to be rulers over people […] I can’t dig it!”
I don’t think here that Bob was saying that we shouldn’t have leaders; but I do think he meant that leaders have no right to be tyrants over their people. We need good leaders, all over the world. And, I think, the goodness of a leader, more than anyone else, begins in humility. In fact, Bob’s first line gives that away.
A leader is basically someone who guides others with a specific vision, steadying their actions and directing all of them toward a common goal. But how can leaders get people to follow their lead? And what separates a “good” leader from a “bad” one?
Well, one clue may come from social psychologists, who found that in the workplace, bosses who are considered to be the best by their employees are the ones who “get their hands dirty” in the work themselves. Those who have already engaged in similar work, and take the knowledge of the work’s demands into account when considering their employees’ efforts, come as a close second. The employees regard their bosses as more competent, more credible, and offer them more respect and loyalty; these workers are also more motivated toward their work. This makes sense: someone who is willing to “get down” and “show how it’s done” demonstrates genuineness and care, not greed.
I admire my boss very much because, for me, she is a perfect example of the first kind of boss mentioned above. She is not afraid to engage in our manual work and our questions. She doesn’t keep “special boss privileges” to herself, but instead shares these benefits with us, leaving us grateful for her kindness and unselfishness. Strong in character and convictions, she is always able to admit to her mistakes, and we never feel that she is higher than us when we speak to her.
Leadership is not about privilege; it’s about service. Service is a submission to all, not a height above all. Humility here means this: that we are all equal in God’s eyes, no matter what our positions, and that all we receive (from Him) should be to ensure the good of others first, the ones we serve. After all, He is the One Who Is above all of us:
“But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matt. 23: 8-12)
Jesus showed Himself to be the best and most humble leader by His birth (”get down” to us), by His Words (”show us how it’s done”)…and by His Cross–i.e. His Care for us (Philippians 2: 6-8): “who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.”
May true leaders everywhere follow His Example!
