Leading Like Jesus

In the middle of a leadership crisis—with His disciples arguing about greatness and position—Jesus grabbed a towel and basin. No PowerPoint presentation on servant leadership. No corporate retreat on team dynamics. Just the CEO of the universe doing the work of the lowest servant. This isn't just a beautiful story; it's the leadership model that changes everything.

The Kingdom Truth

True leadership isn't about commanding from the corner office—it's about serving from the floor level where your team actually works.

This principle transforms how we approach leadership because it inverts our understanding of power and position. In God's economy, those who want to lead must serve, those who want to be first must be last, and those who want to be great must become servants. Your title gives you authority, but your towel gives you influence.

Devotional

James had built his reputation as a results-driven executive. His teams hit their numbers. His division consistently outperformed. But when he received feedback that his people felt "managed, not led," something had to change.

The breaking point came during a particularly stressful quarter when his top performer, Maria, was struggling with a personal crisis that affected her work quality. The old James would have managed the performance issue with documentation and improvement plans. But something different stirred in him as he remembered Jesus washing His disciples' feet.

Instead of calling Maria to his office, James went to hers. Instead of discussing performance metrics, he asked about her family situation. Instead of offering corporate resources, he offered personal support. He adjusted her workload, connected her with resources, and even helped coordinate meal deliveries during her mother's illness.

The transformation wasn't immediate, but it was profound. Maria not only recovered her performance—she became one of James's most devoted team members. More importantly, other team members noticed. The corner office executive who was willing to get his hands dirty for his people had earned something money couldn't buy: their hearts.

James began implementing "towel and basin" leadership throughout his organization. He started skip-level meetings where he listened to front-line concerns. He personally mentored high-potential employees. When the company faced layoffs, he took a salary cut before cutting jobs. When his team worked late, he stayed to help rather than just demanding results.

The cultural shift was remarkable. Employee engagement scores soared. Voluntary turnover dropped. Innovation increased as people felt safe to take risks. James's division didn't just hit their numbers—they shattered them. But more importantly, several team members began asking James about his leadership philosophy, opening doors to share his faith naturally in the workplace.

The Jesus model of leadership had done what command-and-control never could: it had created followers who wanted to become leaders themselves, multiplying Kingdom influence through the marketplace.

This is John 13 in action. When leaders serve their people with genuine care, they create cultures where people thrive. When marketplace leaders embrace the towel and basin, they demonstrate Kingdom values that draw others to the King.

Reflection

For Your Heart:

• Do you lead primarily through positional authority or through genuine service to your team's success and well-being?

For Your Work:

• What would change in your leadership approach if you saw your role as equipping others for success rather than extracting performance from them?

For Your Legacy:

• Are you creating leaders who follow your example of servant leadership, multiplying Kingdom influence through your organization?

This Week's Challenge

Identify one person on your team who needs your "towel and basin" leadership—someone facing a challenge where your service could make a significant difference. Take one concrete action this week to serve that person's success, not just demand their performance.

Let's close in prayer.

Heavenly Father,

Forgive me for the times I've led through position instead of service, demanded results instead of developing people. Give me the humility to lead like Jesus—with a towel in my hands and love in my heart. Help me create cultures where people flourish because they experience Your love through my leadership.

In Jesus' name, Amen.