Ask most people who know me….and I mean REALLY know me, and they’re likely to tell you that I am very firm in my beliefs. I think that’s their way of saying I’m stubborn and hard-headed. However, I also know there is a huge difference in being on the straight & narrow path and being narrow-minded. I believe in expanding your horizons and being exposed to various beliefs and opinions. I have a great appreciation for those who are willing to step up and share their beliefs with whomever is willing to listen.
Just last week, I was listening to a podcast and one of the hosts, Michael, at the end of the show said something that really struck a chord with me. He said (and I’m paraphrasing here), “We have plenty of rulers, but what we need is leaders…and there’s a big difference.”
Those are some of the truest words to ever hit the airwaves. It got me thinking about my friend and immediate supervisor, Gene Williams. Gene is one of those “pull no punches” sort of guy. He’s honest, forthright and has no trouble speaking his mind; but Gene also strives to lift others up whether at work or at home. Gene was telling me his philosophy as a member in upper management was based on (other than his Christian faith) a gentleman named Robert Greenleaf who lived during most of the 20th century, and had a very successful career in the 
management levels of AT&T; but his biggest contribution to society came in the form of an essay he wrote in 1970. It was called The Servant As Leader. In this essay, he put forth ideas that, quite frankly, have been around for centuries. In fact, if you look at biblical references, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, it was one of the first visual object lessons in servant leadership. When you read excerpts from the Sermon on the Mount, you can see references to servant leadership.
So, just what exactly is a servant leader? One such description is an individual who cares more about other people’s needs than their own, yet are in a position to teach, guide and mentor others so they can excel and exceed the goals of their teacher. It’s someone who focuses on the well-being of not only individuals, but also of entire communities. A servant leader is an example of how just one person can make a huge difference in society.
Using Bob Greenleaf’s own words, “This is my thesis: caring for persons, the more able and the less able serving each other, is the rock upon which a good society is built. Whereas, until recently, caring was largely person to person, now most of it is mediated through institutions – often large, complex, powerful, impersonal; not always competent; sometimes corrupt. If a better society is to be built, one that is more just and more loving, one that provides greater creative opportunity for its people, then the most open course is to raise both the capacity to serve and the very performance as servant of existing major institutions by new regenerative forces operating within them.”
Not everyone was meant to be a leader, but everyone can be a servant. And, for those “in command” out there, know the difference between a ruler and a leader. Practice servant leadership at work….at home….in your churches….in your communities.
