This question came to me as I was driving and listening to National
Public Radio about another famous leader that had passed away. I thought about how
much he meant to his community and the lives of those he touched. He was a
great example of what we could become and what we considered the best of the
best.
Then I thought to myself, “Who we are to follow now?” That question
haunted me because as it made me look at myself. Could I be the next leader to
make an impact on the lives of others? Do I have what it takes to step up, deny
myself and give back to someone else? Can I be a leader?
So many times we talk about what our leaders are doing or
not doing, but never actually step up in our own way to become leaders. I
thought about the definition of a leader. To find the meaning I went to the greatest leader of all time―Jesus Christ. He had a
few characteristics that I want to highlight.
Jesus was selfless
He never was in it for the fame, glory, or honor. We as
future leaders need to be selfless. Is it tough? Yes, it is hard to channel
your ambition to move others forward and delay your aspirations. We as future
leaders have to see, as Jesus did, the deepest need of people. They will not understand
us or see what we see, but as leaders, we have to guide them, always keeping
the objective in sight. I love that about our Lord. He led a small group of
people and moved them forward with his sights on the bigger picture. It was
never about him―it
was about them.
Jesus connected to People
Some may call this charisma, but it wasn’t. He understood
that every human was the same. We all have issues, problems, and stories. One gift
that Jesus had was the ability to identify with us. He walked the earth in
human flesh. We as leaders must connect and realize that those following us
have hopes and dreams as we do. By understanding that, we see each other as
fellow human beings trying to figure out what this world is all about and where
our place is in it.
Jesus was trustworthy
As leaders, we have to show up even when others do not. We
have to stand by our word. We cannot be unstable. Jesus was faithful and true
to his course. He never deviated from his mission and purpose in this life. He was
building credibility all the time. That is the one area that we have to always
be mindful of as leaders. If we lose trust it is so hard to gain it back. If
you have it, you can compare it to a good investment. It pays huge dividends.
You and I can answer the question poised in the beginning―who are we to follow
now? Yes, we can be that next generation of leaders. We can start in our homes,
on our jobs, at church, and at school. We can take our rightful place in our
communities and make a major impact in the world.
