Leadership Lessons from Jesus of Nazareth
Timeless Relational Principles to Win and Sustain Greater Influence
While he was alive in the first century c.e., Jesus of Nazareth drew large crowds and ultimately became the catalyst to one of the largest movements in human history. That he drew so many others to himself speaks of his powers of persuasion and influence. What personal qualities did Jesus demonstrate that may have contributed to his effectiveness as a leader?
Effective Leaders are Accessible
The first leadership quality Jesus of Nazareth demonstrated was accessibility. The biblical accounts illustrate how Jesus walked among the people interacting with them and taking interest in their personal lives. He attended weddings, key cultural celebrations, and accepted private invitations to dinner parties.
Effective Leaders are Compassionate
The second quality Jesus of Nazareth demonstrated was compassion. The historians Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote about how Jesus felt deeply for the problems of others. They recorded how Jesus had an intense compassion for people with all types of infirmities including leprosy, blindness, and hunger. Leadership expert John Maxwell has observed: "Other will not care about how much you know until they know how much you care."
Effective Leaders Reach Out and Touch Others
Thirdly, Jesus of Nazareth was willing to reach out and touch others. The Bible authors showed that Jesus was not only compassionate, but also willing to do something to help the people in their despair. This is seen most poignantly in Jesus' encounter with the leper (Matthew 8, NIV). In those days, lepers were not allowed to be touched by others and could not go within a certain distance of citizens. Jesus not only received the man with leprosy; he reached out and touched him.
Effective Leaders are Knowledgeable and an Authoritative Teacher
The fourth quality that Jesus of Nazareth displayed was knowledge and the uncanny ability to teach others. In the accounts about Jesus' life, the authors commented on how the crowd was amazed at his depth of knowledge and understanding and how he taught with authority.
Effective Leaders are Not Afraid to Answer Tough Questions
Another quality Jesus demonstrated was a willingness to answer tough questions. According to biblical accounts, Jesus was often tested by religious authorities who wanted to trap him. In just about each instance, Jesus did not cower or avoid the questions, but gave answers that amazed the people following him.
Effective Leaders Mentor Able Successors
The sixth quality Jesus of Nazareth showed was a willingness to mentor able successors. In order to further his cause, the Bible authors commented on how Jesus selected a special group of 12 apostles to train for the task of carrying on his work in the Palestine region.
Effective Leaders Are Willing to Sacrifice Themselves for the Common Good
The seventh and final trait highlighted here is that Jesus of Nazareth was willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of his movement. He seemed to understand that his organization and its work was bigger than himself and chose to step aside so the cause could live on.
These are seven among other personal qualities Jesus of Nazareth demonstrated that may have contributed to his effectiveness as a leader.
Leadership Lessons from Jesus
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