How can a person become a successful leader by being humble?
Being a successful leader comes when they are humble. Warren (as cited in Williamson,
2017) said it best when he said, “true humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of
yourself less” (para. 1). In our society, some people focus on themselves before anything and
anyone else. It is all about what they can do to get ahead and have the most while leaving others
behind. This only works for the self–seeking individual and, if this person is in charge, they are
not a leader. They are a boss. Williamson (2017) explains that “teams under said type of
leadership become hostile and experience low productivity and high turnover” (para. 2). This
type of business environment can be toxic not only to employees but to managers and
stakeholders as well.
To prevent low productivity and high turnover, businesses need to establish an
environment where everyone knows what is expected of them and how the company wants to be
viewed. This code of conduct allows the company “to overcome moral hazards and adverse
selections as they attempt to resonate with employees’ deeper values of justice, fairness, honesty,
integrity, and reciprocity” (Rothaermel, 2017, p. 415). This is especially important for leaders
because it requires them to do more than sit behind a desk or boss people around. They need to
be willing to work with their employees and support them both in and out of work (Williamson,
2017, para. 5). Leaders should empower their employees so that they feel appreciated and vital to
the company (para. 6). Finally, if a leader wants to make a difference, they need to be the change
they want to see (para. 8). Leaders set the standard for the company. They are the example to
everyone else. Leading with humility can inspire others to do and be better for the company, but
ultimately for themselves.
Why is it an important leadership trait to serve others first?
Companies that have self–serving leaders have an adverse effect on the company as a
whole. Peng, Wang, and Chen (2018) explain that “self–serving leadership is a form of unethical
leadership behavior that has a destructive effect on its targets and the overall organization” and
reduces the psychological safety of the employees which leads to hiding knowledge and a
reduction of creativity (Abstract). Self–serving leaders are toxic. Their goal is to boost their
career. Every thought, word, and action can open the environment to negativity, manipulation,
intimidation, competition, and narcissism (Yapp, 2016, para. 28–47).
Serving others first shows that the leaders sincerely want the best for the company and
their employees. When leaders genuinely care about their employees, employees reciprocate the
feelings and do their best while at work which can increase productivity. While obtaining higher
productivity is nice, it should not be the primary goal of any company. A company should focus
on meeting the needs of their employees so that they can better serve the customers. Peachey and
Burton (2016) explain that servant leadership will “empower followers, lead to more sustainable
and effective organizations and participant outcomes, facilitate psychological needs satisfaction,
and diffuse issues of power and control” (Abstract). Creating an environment where serving
others first is a significant priority increases the value of the firm. An encouraging service
environment is an intangible asset that cannot be measured in accounting data but is more
important to shareholders and consumers (Rothaermel, 2017, p. 148).
What is the importance of relying on Jesus’ will and ways as it relates to leadership?
Jesus was the perfect example of a leader. Matthew 20:28 (New International Version)
says “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” Jesus did not just give commands
and expect things to get done. Instead, he bent down and washed his disciples’ feet (John 13:5).
This was the responsibility of the servants of the house. Jesus was not afraid to do the work of
those everyone else looked down upon. He set an example for the disciples and all other
Christians to follow (John 13:14–15).
While following Jesus can sound easy when life is going well, it is harder to act like Jesus
would when times are bad. Everyone goes through a time where it seems like if it could go
wrong, it will. We try so hard to fix everything and do everything ourselves, and we get
overwhelmed to the point we lose our minds. It is at this time we need to look to the example
Jesus set. He spent forty days and nights in the desert, and after those days, Satan came to him
and tempted him with “all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor” (Matthew 4:8, New
International Version). In business, we can be offered anything and everything we could dream
of, but what would it cost? For Jesus, it would make him no longer be the sinless Son of God
who came to fulfill the prophecy, and his death would not have saved us. For us, it could cost us
our morals, our family, or the positions of others around us. God knows what will happen to us
and the decisions we choose to make. As leaders and Christians, we have to choose to follow
Jesus’ example. No leader is too good to do menial work or to help others in need. Matthew 6:24
(English Standard Version) reminds us that “no one can serve two masters” and it is impossible
to serve God and money. We need to do what we were called to do – serve one another in love
(Galations 5:13).
References
Peachey, J. W., & Burton, L. (2016). Servant leadership in sport for development and peace: A
way forward. Quest,69(1), 125-139. doi:10.1080/00336297.2016.1165123
Peng, J., Wang, Z., & Chen, X. (2018). Does self-serving leadership hinder team creativity? A
moderated dual-path model [Abstract]. Journal of Business Ethics, 1-15.
doi:10.1007/s10551-018-3799-0
Rothaermel, F. T. (2017). Strategic Management (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill
Education.
Williamson, C. (2017, September 14). The importance of humility in leadership. Retrieved
September 4, 2018, from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2017/09/14/the-importance-of-
humility-in-leadership/#55bc6bd12253
Yapp, R. (2016, December 1). The six characteristics of toxic leaders. Retrieved September 5,
2018, from http://www.leadershipforces.com/six-characteristics-toxic-leaders/
