Leadership by example: The Jesus model

On the first day of August 2024, many Nigerians stormed the streets to protest bad governance, economic hardship and the rising cost of living.

The protests, held in many cities and towns across the country, turned violent in some places. Properties were destroyed, people injured and lives lost. The protests could have been avoided. They signal a failure in leadership. This underscores the importance of the topic of leadership by example.

History is dotted with scores of remarkable leaders in various climes. Many of them are celebrated, others venerated, but none is in the class of our Lord, Jesus Christ, not because He is God, but because of the enduring impact of His leadership.

Over 2,000 years after He left this earth, there are billions of Christians, a name coined from observation of people whose lives reflected Christ in character and power. His teachings have formed the basis for civilisations and His followers have shaped nations through the ages. His unique leadership by example stands Him out eternally, and it is worth learning and imbibing.

Before we delve into looking at the Lord’s leadership style, let’s look at the principle of leadership by example generally.

Throughout history, the principle of leadership by example has inspired countless individuals. It’s a simple yet profound concept: leaders who model the behaviour and values they expect from others can inspire loyalty, trust, and excellence in their teams.

Leadership by example has many benefits. Some are obvious, others are not but they are all profound. Here are four obvious benefits of leadership by example.

1. Leading by example helps you build trust. When leaders walk the talk, they demonstrate their commitment to their values and vision, earning the trust and respect of the people they lead.

2. Leading by example inspires loyalty. Leaders who lead by example create a sense of belonging and purpose, fostering a loyal and dedicated team. When people know that you do what you say, they are more likely to stick with you because of the integrity of your life in speech and deed.

3. Leading by example encourages accountability. By holding themselves to high standards, leaders inspire their team members to do the same. When the people you lead see you own up to your mistakes and learn from them, they are encouraged to own up to theirs. This builds a culture of transparency and accountability.

4. Leading by example promotes a positive culture. Leadership by example sets the tone for a positive, productive, and inclusive work culture. The best way to get people to be positive is to be positive yourself as a leader.

Jesus’ leadership includes all of these and more. To understand the way Jesus led, you must first understand what He said about leadership.

In verse 20 of Matthew chapter 20, the mother of two of his 12 disciples, James and John, came to Jesus with her sons to ask for a favour. It was a political one. She believed Jesus was going to reign as king and wanted to secure good positions for her sons.

“Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom,” she said.

Jesus made it clear that she didn’t know what she was talking about and told them that those positions “belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

As expected, when the 10 heard about the political move, they were angry with the two brothers. That situation provided the context for Jesus’ most profound teaching on leadership.

The Bible recorded that Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” [verse 25-28].

The notion of leaders serving followers is alien to the world. The Lord Jesus didn’t just teach it in speeches He modelled it in deeds. Jesus taught theories and did practicals.

He served His disciples all through His ministry. He laboured more than them all. He always went to pray in a solitary place way before dawn, hours before His disciples woke up. On at least one occasion, He asked His disciples to leave Him at the crusade venue to wrap up things. He was a hands-on leader, not the type that barks out orders while slouching on a couch.

Towards the end of His ministry, He did something that left an indelible mark on the hearts of His disciples, an example they were to follow.

In John chapter 13, from verses 3 to 17, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given Him all things and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

When He was done, He sat down and began to speak to them. I can imagine how surreal that experience would have been and the awe in the eyes of the disciples.

He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

That demonstration and the explanation are central to Jesus’ teaching on leadership. As He concluded, it is one thing to know these things. It is something completely different to do them. Dear Christian leader, be a doer of these, not just a hearer.

May the Lord bless us all.

 

Reverend Austin Ukporhe is the Senior Pastor at Remnant Christian Network, Lagos. Raised in Sokoto, northern Nigeria, he was trained in peculiar firebrand evangelism and was ordained as a pastor in 2001. He has experienced countless and diverse workings of the faithfulness of God over two decades and has developed a passion to see God’s will for Nigeria become a reality. He can be reached on +2348060255604.