“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” ~ John 15:15
REFERENCE:
Jesus models friendly leadership to us in our text. We have seen how He, God in human flesh, chose to call His ‘subjects’ friends. The philosopher Cicero said, “Life is nothing without friendship.” Understanding this as a leader should motivate you to build a culture of friendship amongst and with your team, remembering that they spend most of their waking hours in the workplace. To achieve this, you must become a friendly leader yourself.
Yesterday, we learned how to become a friendly leader from Jesus. Let us conclude now.
1. He Kept the Line of Communication Alive: Jesus said, “I have called.” Communication is the lifeblood of every relationship. Permit me to say Jesus often called to check up on His disciples. Solomon said, “Be diligent to know the state of your flock.” Check up on those you lead. Call sometimes to inquire about their welfare and grant them access to you.
2. He Ensured He Kept No Secret from Them: Jesus said, “All I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” Many leaders like to maintain control by hoarding information; they think, “The less the people know, the less important they feel and the less likely they are to be insubordinate.” But Jesus ensured the disciples had whatever they needed to further the vision and mission made known to them. The apparent reason is, “People can’t be hot on anything they are not up on…You can’t get them to run with a vision that has not been made plain to them.” What happens (to your biz) when you are not around or no longer there?
3. He Created a Sense of Ownership in Them: – “All that I have heard from My Father, I have told you.” It is as if the Father Himself has brought you into trust and told you family things/secrets. When the disciples felt they were family, they were ready to die and died for the vision and mission. When people feel part and parcel of something big, they do everything to ensure it does not fail.
By becoming a friendly leader, Jesus built a passionate team, a unique ‘global brand’, and an organization that has grown and existed for thousands of years. He lost nothing being a friendly leader; neither will you. Emulate the Lord in your leadership and extend your influence.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Proverbs 27:23-27, John 10:11-14, and John 13:23
PRAYERS:
+ Lord, give me the wisdom to understand that lifting others affects my uplifting.
+ Lord, heal and deliver me from all my insecurities as a leader, employer, or supervisor.
+ Give me the grace and capacity to make my team’s workplace a warmer atmosphere.
TODAY’S THOUGHT:
“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” ~ John 15:15
