Developing 21st Century Glocal Servant Leadership

Dr. Kathleen Patterson is an Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies at Regent University’s School of Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship. Recently, in listening to an audio speech by Dr. Patterson from the series “Leadership Talks,” Volume 5, Issue 1, she made a very interesting statement. Dr. Patterson stated that as “servant leaders feel called to serve others, then as leaders we need to look at followers as hired hearts instead of hired hands.”

What was striking in her talk was the fact that as leaders, if I/we are not careful I/we will look at those who work for us, under us, or around us, more as hired hands than as hired hearts. What about those of us in leadership who are responsible for leading volunteers who give graciously of their time and talent, many times with no recognizable or tangible compensation? Do we view them in the same way as we do the person gainfully employed underneath our supervision, a hired hand instead of a “volunteered heart?”

Dr. Patterson has made an excellent observation for those of us in leadership to consider. Perhaps it goes back to the Golden Rule found in Matthew 7:12, “So in everything, do to others what you would have done to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (TNIV).

One of the most beautiful, thought provoking, and striking biblical passages is in John 15:12-18. In this passage, Jesus is speaking to his circle of closest friends, his disciples, there in the Upper Room shortly before his betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane by Judas Iscariot. Let us join this conversation and listen as Jesus says:

My command is this: Love each other as I have you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friend. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because servants do not know their master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatsoever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other, (TNIV).

Scott Wilson is the Senior Pastor of The Oaks Fellowship in Dallas, Texas. Oaks Fellowship is a multi-site church that Scott became the pastor of in 2002. He is also the CEO and founder of Scott Wilson Consulting, which is an organization designed to equip leaders in the church as well as in the marketplace. I am currently reading his book the Next Level (2009, Baxter Press) a message of hope for hard times which is a thirty-one day journey for a person’s continued spiritual growth supplementing my own daily time alone with God in the Bible.

A few days ago in my quiet time reading Scott’s chapter on Naaman: The Humility Test, he discusses the dilemma that Naaman faced when he when to Elisha’s house to be healed of leprosy. Instead of being met by the prophet of Israel, the prophet’s servant came out to greet him and to give him Elisha’s instructions for healing. Enraged, his first thoughts were to disregard Elisha’s commands. However, thanks to his brave servant’s suggestions, he decided to be obedient to the commands, and as a result, he was healed. Isn’t it interesting that Naaman, a general in the Syrian army, had to be willing to listen to his own servants encouraging him to listen and obey the directives of Elisha through his servant in order for him to arrive at his desired state that of being cleansed and healed of leprosy?

Had Naaman not been willing to listen to his servants, had he viewed them as hired hands instead of hired hearts, he would have died of leprosy. Had his servants not felt comfortable approaching Naaman and challenging him to swallow his pride and follow the directions of Elisha’s servant, he would have died of his leprosy. Instead, a win/win resulted in this story.

Scott goes on in this lesson to remind us “as leaders managing people that we must remember that while we hold them accountable to performance standards, they are not robots.” They are human beings who are doing life while working at their place of employment for a portion of their day. Some people come to work at times hurting, suffering, hopeful, and anxious. As their leader and especially from a Christian perspective, is it not our responsibility to be cognizant and sensitive to these people?

I know, I know, we all believe people need to leave their baggage at home when they come to work and not let what is going on in their lives affect their productivity. However, let us be real here, isn’t this an unrealistic expectation? As leaders, do we ever let what is going on in our after work private lives affect our own job performance? Is there a double standard with unrealistic expectations that cause us in the process to view our workforce, our volunteers, our staff, or church members, yes I said church members, “more as hired hands instead of hired or volunteered hearts?” If we are honest, transparent, the answer is yes, yes, and yes!

In the section that was part of today’s quiet time, Scott repeatedly encourages those of us in leadership positions to remain humble, to stoop, and to serve. The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 2:3-11:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had, Who, being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father, (TNIV).

So what can we take away from Scott’s observations, our scripture passages, making sure to implement these observations into our current leadership/management style? Here are some thoughts from these passages, and I am sure you will be able to add many more to this list.

• Treat everyone with dignity and respect, just as you would want to be treated.• Realize that the world does not revolve around you or me and as much as is possible, put others needs first. Try to view the world from their perspective, not just ours.
• View those who work for or volunteer within our organization as friends, because it immediately elevates their self worth reminding us to see them as “hired or volunteered hearts” instead of “hired hands.”
• When we treat others with dignity, respect, as friends, then productivity (fruit) will increase because an environment has been created that fosters good will, and teamwork, thus enabling our organization to be successful. A win/win scenario is realized for management and workers, staff and laity.

Again, if you and I as leaders of our organization, company, or church fail to have a teachable spirit, over time a contentious spirit will begin to emerge that will not be conducive to productivity or much fruit being produced for our companies, churches or the kingdoms sake. Don’t you agree that Dr. Patterson has raised a valid point in observing that those of us in leadership need to view people as hired hearts instead of hired hands? Your comments and insights here will be greatly appreciated.

Tags: 21st Century