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Discussion Board 1
Norma Mgqibi
BUSI 690-D06
Liberty University
How can a person become a successful leader by being humble?
A person can become a successful humble leader by recognizing and appreciating others.
Humility is at the heart of good leadership. Successful leader demonstrate humility by listening
and learning about themselves from others in order to perform better. “They also exhibit humility
by attending to collective and long-term interests rather than only their own concerns or short-
term objectives” (Nielsen, et al., 2010). Servant leader’s focus is on the followers, and the
achievement of organizational objectives is a subordinate outcome (Gregory Stone et al., 2004)
A humble leader has to have not only a realistic view of themselves but also a realistic
view of their team and a realistic appraisal of how their team views them. One of the ways a
leader can express humility is by simply saying hello to his subordinates. That may seem a small
thing, but it means so much to others because it communicates that you value them. Show a
sincere interest in people, acknowledge their presence, and they will feel loved and valued.
Why is it an important leadership trait to serve others first?
According to Nielsen et al (2010), humility prevents excessive self-focus and allows for
an understanding of oneself, in addition to perspective of one’s relationship with others.
Philippians 2:3-4 could not put it any clearer, “Regard one another as more important than
yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of
others”. Hall (1991) has observed that doing menial chores does not necessarily indicate a
servant leader. Instead a servant leader is one who invests himself or herself in enabling others,
in helping them be and do their best. At the very heart of servant leadership is the genuine desire
to serve others for the common good. Self-interest gives way to collective human development.
That is taking on a role of a servant like Jesus did.
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What is the importance of relying on Jesus’ will and ways as it relates to leadership?
A leader who rely on Jesus honors biblical principles through shaping the values and
incentives to serve, work, lead, and manage in a God-honoring and joyous, humble, and
accountable ways. Jesus lived a total dependency on God. He said, “By myself I can do nothing;
I judge only as I hear, and my judgement is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent
me” (John, 5: 30). If Jesus relied on the father while he walked the earth, how much more
important is it for us to do the same thing?
In Matthew 20:26-28, Jesus explicitly states “ 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”. A Christian
leader must first recognize that God has a plan and prayerfully seek it. The leader should be in an
attitude of prayer and constantly seek God’s will. The Holy Spirit will enlighten you as to the
course you should take. Trust that God knows what is best and act according to his leading.
References
Gregory Stone, A, Russell, R.F., & Patterson, K. (2004). Transformational versus servant
leadership: A difference in leader focus. Leadership & Organizational Development
Journal, 25(4), 349-361
Hall, A.S. (1991). Living leadership: Biblical leadership speaks to our day. Anderson, IN:
Warner Press
Nielsen, R., Marrone, J.A., & Slay, H.S. (2010).A new look at humility: Exploring the humility
concept and its role in socialized charismatic leadership. SAGE Journals, 99-125
The Holy Bible: New International Version
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Replies:
Respond to at least 2 other classmates' threads by sharing passages of Scripture or personal experience
of how being humble can make one a successful leader.
I enjoy reading your post. The humble person knows himself and is aware of his nature,
his knowledge, his capabilities, his strengths, and weaknesses, his virtues, his realizations, his
success and failures (Driver, 2001). The humble person loves truth more than himself (Comte-
Sponville, 2001). Because of this he tries to be impartial in his judgement: he does not try to
deceive himself with an over flattering appraisal. But neither does he deny his strength and
values, nor does he underrate himself, because that would be a lie: in other work, he practices
self-esteem (Brennan, 2007). That is why the Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives
grace to the humble” (James 4: 6).
Humility is confidence properly placed in, and we are instructed to “put not confidence in
the flesh” (Philippians 3:3). When the going gets tough or when difficult decisions have to be
made, as is inevitable in all leadership situations, a leader who relies on God must be just as
tough-minded and resilient as other leaders What distinguishes Christian leader from others is
not the quality of the decisions he makes, but how he exercises his responsibility and whom he
consult in reaching these decisions. The ability of the leader to receive and understand the word
of God, and the power to influence others to a common goal depends on one’s ability to clarify
and apply God’s unchanging word to changing situations. The written and living word of God is
the basic foundation upon which successful Christian leaders stand.
References
Brenman, J. (2007). Modesty without illusion. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, 75,
111- 128
Comte-Sponville, A. (2001). A small treatise of the great virtues. New York, NY: Henry Holt and
Company
Driver, J. (2001). Uneasy virtue. New York, NY: Oxford University Press
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The Holy Bible: New International Version
Reply
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Great discussion Amy. Matthew 9: 36-38 shows us that leadership is a God-given
capacity and responsibility to influence people. The ability of the leader is manifested in how he
is able to influence his followers into action and make them agents of change. Fry (2003)
described calling, within a spiritual leadership framework, as making a difference and giving
one’s life a meaning. Block (1996) described leaders as choosing service over self interest in
terms of fundamentally similar to calling. In order to know God’s will, a Christian leader must
read God’s word regularly, gleaning the principles from the scriptures that will transform. The
bible is as relevant into today’s situations as it was when it was written. Employees evaluate the
leader’s character to see what he believes and whether it translate into acceptable behavior and
attitude. Leadership based on biblical principles is the solution to the needs of an organization.
Jesus demonstrated his servant leadership in John 13:5 by washing the feet of his
disciples, as an object lesson to them of the need to serve each other in humility. In Philippians
2:5-11, Paul the apostle encourages a group of early believers to serve each other in the same
way that Jesus would serve them. He reminds them that the source of their strength, fellowship
and unity is in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Based on Paul’s admonition, the ability to
manifest a servant type leadership is dependent on one’s relationship with Christ. Paul referred to
Jesus as “humbling himself”, setting forth as a vital characteristics of servant leadership, the
virtue of humility.
References
Block, P. (1996). Stewardship: Choosing service over self-interest. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-
Koehler
Fry, L.W. (2003). Toward a theory of spiritual leadership. Leadership Quarterly, 14, 693-727.
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