The Path Of Greatness: A Journey Towards Servant Leadership And Humilityနမူနာ

Thick Coconuts  

Mr. Kumar held his small circle of trusted managers very close. Mr. Holden was the accountant, who had been with the company since its founding, and Mr. Sentel, an advisor who was his cousin. These were the only men who really could say they knew Mr. Kumar well. Although Frontline Logistics had lots of business and 7000 employees, the attrition rate of those employees was also high: more the 30 percent left every two years. Company insiders often said that Mr. Kumar actually wanted a large amount of staff to leave because he believed most people got lazy in their work after a couple years. 

Mr. Kumar was known for his interesting insults that indicated what he might have thought of his employees. He would often be heard calling employees a “bunch of thick coconuts” and he once told the whole Manchester office they were a group of “lazy lying lunatics”. Those who did well in the company generally did so by keeping their head down, working hard, and following orders as directly as possible. 

In today’s reading we see that Jesus sent out seventy-two of his disciples. Considering that Jesus’ main ministry was only three years, one would think that Jesus would keep his disciples with him as much as possible, but he sends them out. Not only does Jesus send them out soon, he sends them out with almost nothing. As opposed to Mr. Kumar, Jesus seems to have a high opinion about the abilities and callings of his first disciples. 

Jesus first tells his followers that he sends them out as ‘lambs among wolves’. One might think from that statement that the journey could be some type of suicide mission. But as ‘lambs’, he also sends them out with his own authority to heal the sick and preach the good news; he empowers them like himself.

As the disciples are sent out Jesus makes another command: “Take no extra money, take no sandals (probably meaning an extra pair), and don’t greet anyone” (they say traditional greeting took a long time). Jesus seems to have an incredible belief that by their faith the disciples would be able to find their own way and provide for themselves. He trusted them to be able to thrive without anything apart from his message. 

In addition to sending them without much, he gives them a hard assignment, especially considering they were going out among ‘wolves’: to preach with authority that the Kingdom of God had come. Jesus is asking them to tell townspeople that a turn in history had started.  Each town was given the opportunity to receive them and their message or reject it; what a responsibility!

The son of God, Jesus, demonstrated a high opinion of his disciples to go out, fend for themselves, and carry a very important message. Mr. Kumar didn’t seem to carry that same faith in his employees, in fact his statements and actions showed the opposite. Jesus sets the example for us to treat people as valuable, responsible and courageous. Even if some of the disciples don’t live up to this expectation Jesus still assumes that they are motivated for the right reasons, have character, and want to do well in their work.

We are presented two views on leadership development: one which does not trust or value people; and another that gives significant worth to people and believes the best for them. 

As we lead, from whatever position, our assumptions about people’s work and their motivations will impact the way they work. Either we can follow the servant king and assume people are motivated, trustworthy, and responsible, or we can assume they are ‘lazy coconuts' who would prefer to be somewhere else. The way of the king Jesus is always to believe the best in those he serves.  

Prayer

Dear God, as I am reminded of the faith that Jesus demonstrated in those who followed him and think about the general assumptions leaders have today, I recognize that it’s time for me to question my own assumptions about the people I lead. Come and guide me in this, I pray.