Servant LeadershipSample

If you are a leader in an organization that upholds performance standards for your employees and you are not EXCEEDING those standards, you are failing your organization.

Read that again.

Minimum standards in an organization are established to set a baseline for what is expected of every employee. If an employee falls below the baseline, it’s an indicator that corrective action must take place. If this employee fails to reach the baseline after the corrective action(s), they are no longer an asset to your organization and must be shown the door. As a leader, you no longer get to settle for hanging out around the baseline. You must set an example for excellence in your every action.

James 3:1 says:

“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (NIV)

You’re more of a role model than you may think. Your people look to you as the one who will lead them through trials, and if your performance is lacking, your people will judge you much more strictly than their peers.

This is especially important in organizations of service where people’s lives are on the line. For example, a command-rank officer of a police department who can barely meet the minimum standard for physical fitness or weapons qualifications, or individuals in leadership positions of elite military teams who are expected to be ready to fight a war at the drop of a hat. Leaders are in a position of influence; if they are only scraping by to collect a paycheck, they don’t deserve the title. And just because you carry rank, you are not exempt from ever performing the duties of your subordinates. They may require you to fight alongside them someday. They need to trust you and your abilities.

Finally, it’s not the rank on your uniform that earns you respect. Anyone can take and pass a test. In his book, “The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership,” Bill Walsh says it best: “Someone will declare, ‘I am the leader!’ and expect everyone to get in line and follow him or her to the gates of heaven or hell. My experience is that it doesn’t happen that way. Unless you’re a guard on a chain gang, others follow you based on the quality of your actions rather than the magnitude of your declarations. It’s like announcing, ‘I am rich!’ when you’re broke. After your announcement, you’re still broke, and everybody knows it.” (Pg. 75)

Today, consider how you may be falling prey to complacency and not taking necessary action daily to exceed your organization's standard. Ask God to reveal what may be holding you back from pursuing excellence. Ask Him to fill you with HIS servant spirit daily so that you may be the role model He wants you to be. Remember, some of those under you may one day lead alongside you. Train them accordingly.