By Robert J. Tamasy
Perspective. It makes a tremendous difference in how we approach life in many ways. If you view life from an optimistic perspective, you can usually find positives in even difficult circumstances. However, if you take on a pessimistic outlook, even good things that happen can be viewed with cynicism and anxiety. It is like the person who woke up one morning and thought, “Well, everything has gone well so far today. But I have not gotten out of bed yet.”
From a leadership standpoint, perspective also can have a strong effect on how we approach our daily responsibilities. If leaders view themselves as “the boss,” with everyone reporting to them obligated to perform their bidding, this can affect morale, productivity, respect, and even the ability to retain workers who are important to the organization’s success. There is a very different perspective a leader can possess, one that has served many executives and managers very well.
Max De Pree, a respected businessman and author of acclaimed books on leadership, “How do you as a leader see yourself? You know, from the follower’s perspective, it is vitally important that a leader have a self-perception faithful to reality. Leaders belong to their followers. A director should refer to employees as ‘the people I serve.’ What a different reality that is! And what a different effect on followers.”
Can you see how the approach De Pree describes differs from an “I am the boss” view in which employees – followers – are perceived as servants? Certainly there have been many domineering, hard-charging executives who have coerced productivity from their people. But what a difference it would make if more leaders saw their staffs as “the people I serve.”
This concept, popularly known as “servant leadership,” is not new. While it may not be the primary emphasis for most MBA programs, it is an idea that has been utilized with great effectiveness for thousands of years. Even the Bible underscores its importance, with none other than Jesus Christ making it a high priority. Here are several examples of what the Scriptures teach:
The best leaders come to serve. True greatness, from God’s perspective, is not based upon position or power, but the willingness to put others first. “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
True leadership follows a different standard. In some circles, leadership is perceived as the ability to dominate and control. But there is another way: “…The kings of the Gentiles lord is over them…. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves…. But I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:25-27).
Leadership involves mutual submission. Subordinates obviously must report and serve those who have authority over them. However, leaders also should strive to guide those they oversee. “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ…. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism in Him” (Ephesians 6:5-9).
© 2021. Robert J. Tamasy is the author of Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart (coauthored with Ken Johnson); and The Heart of Mentoring (coauthored with David A. Stoddard). Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
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