Leader: What’s Your Motive?
As many of you know, I think this is THE question that leaders must answer. And we need people in our lives that we allow to ask us this question.
Let me reframe it slightly: Why do you want to be a leader?
In 1 Peter 5: 1-7, Peter gives us three benchmarks against which we need to evaluate ourselves:
• Not under compulsion, but voluntarily.
We should serve willingly, not because we feel forced or have been manipulated into accepting the position.
• Not for sordid gain, but with eagerness.
Many people seek leadership positions for the benefits and privileges that go with the position. Yet, there are tremendous responsibilities that accompany the position. Would-be leaders shouldn’t seek the position for the “gain” they may receive.
Several years ago I worked for a small, privately owned organization. The owner/president often took advantage of the organization’s resources, frequently depleting our cash for his personal needs. When I confronted him about this, he told be that was one of the benefits of owning your own company.
I challenged him on this by saying that while there are certainly benefits, what about the responsibilities? I reminded him that we had 23 employees who were counting on him to do the right thing.
Unfortunately, he failed to heed my warning. The company went bankrupt and many families suffered the consequences.
• Not as lording it over others, but proving to be an example.
I suspect Peter learned this lesson directly from Jesus discussion of servant leadership in Mark 10: 42-45:
"Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. "But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
As many of you know, I think this is THE question that leaders must answer. And we need people in our lives that we allow to ask us this question.
Let me reframe it slightly: Why do you want to be a leader?
In 1 Peter 5: 1-7, Peter gives us three benchmarks against which we need to evaluate ourselves:
• Not under compulsion, but voluntarily.
We should serve willingly, not because we feel forced or have been manipulated into accepting the position.
• Not for sordid gain, but with eagerness.
Many people seek leadership positions for the benefits and privileges that go with the position. Yet, there are tremendous responsibilities that accompany the position. Would-be leaders shouldn’t seek the position for the “gain” they may receive.
Several years ago I worked for a small, privately owned organization. The owner/president often took advantage of the organization’s resources, frequently depleting our cash for his personal needs. When I confronted him about this, he told be that was one of the benefits of owning your own company.
I challenged him on this by saying that while there are certainly benefits, what about the responsibilities? I reminded him that we had 23 employees who were counting on him to do the right thing.
Unfortunately, he failed to heed my warning. The company went bankrupt and many families suffered the consequences.
• Not as lording it over others, but proving to be an example.
I suspect Peter learned this lesson directly from Jesus discussion of servant leadership in Mark 10: 42-45:
"Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. "But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
“Lording it over” is an interesting phrase. It refers to an intense domineering over people. My experience with people like this has led me to believe that this is often a sign of some deep-rooted insecurity.
In contrast, we must think of ourselves as servants, not sovereigns.
We should be leaders who provide an example that is worthy of imitation.
So, why do you want to lead?
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