The Leadership Imperative

A recent book was titled “Why Should Anyone Be Led By You?” That’s a really good question. Why should anyone be led by you? Why should anyone follow you?

If you had to take a philosophy or ethics class in college, you probably remember Immanuel Kant. He is famous for his “categorical imperative.” This was a general rule that Kant developed for ethical decision-making. According to this rule, we should "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law."

Here’s my paraphrase: In any situation I should act in such a way that if other people in the same situation acted the same way it would be OK with me. (Now, some of my philosophy colleagues might not give me an A for that, but I think it gets to the essence of Kant’s meaning).

What about a “Leadership Imperative”? Could we develop a general rule for leaders?

A good way to get at this issue is to answer this question: Are you worthy of imitation?

As I study the leadership model provide by the Apostle Paul, I see that this was a recurring theme for him.


“Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.” (1 Corinthians 4:16)

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” (Ephesians 5:1)

“You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit.”
(1 Thessalonians 1:6)

In his letter to the Philippians, he provides us with a great test to evaluate how worthy we are of imitation:


“The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)

Can I say that what people:

· Learn from me
· Receive from me
· Hear from me
· See in me

Is worthy of imitation? Is worthy of practicing?

And if they do, will it bring them closer to God?

Are you worthy of imitation?