Beyond Titles: Building Influence Through Humble Service

DYNAMICS OF LEADERSHIP

I believe every one of us carries a divine mandate to function as a leader in one way or another. Leadership is not confined to corporate offices, pulpits, or government chambers. It is not the exclusive preserve of those with high-ranking positions or public recognition. It doesn’t matter your social class, your profession, or whether you hold a formal title; the leadership potential is embedded within you. You can be a leader!

Leadership, in its truest form, is not about power or prestige; it is about positive influence, grounded in humble service. Drawing from the Scriptures—John 13:1–17, Mark 10:41–45, and Matthew 18:1–6—we see that leadership is not domination but servanthood; it is not self-promotion but self-sacrifice. Jesus Himself modelled this perfectly.

The Example of Jesus

In John 13, during His final hours before the cross, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. In His time, foot washing was the work of the lowest servant, often considered demeaning. Yet Jesus, the Son of God, took a towel, knelt, and served. He didn’t wait until it was convenient. He did this right before His arrest and crucifixion, when the weight of His mission was heaviest.

Lesson: True leaders don’t choose only the “glamorous” moments to lead; they serve even when life is at its hardest. Imagine a CEO who, during a company crisis, rolls up their sleeves to work alongside employees on the factory floor. That act speaks volumes about character and commitment.

From the example set by Jesus, we can draw several important lessons:

1. Leadership is not easy.
   Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, yet He still washed Judas’s feet. Leadership means serving even those who may oppose or misunderstand you.

2. Leadership is capacity building.
   Jesus trained His disciples for years, moulding them into apostles who would carry His message to the world.

3. Leadership is obedience to the Lord.
   Jesus acted following His Father’s will. In today’s context, a Christian business owner may choose ethical practices over fraudulent and greedy methods to avoid abnormal profits because they are committed to God’s principles.

4. Leadership is the willingness to serve to the end.
   A leader is committed to starting and completing tasks, ensuring they fulfil their intended purpose. Jesus endured the cross until his final death, shedding his blood for our sins.

5. Leadership is a positive influence.
   People are shaped far more by consistent actions than by words alone. Jesus demonstrated this when He washed His disciples’ feet—showing them that if He, their leader, could humble Himself to serve, they should not hesitate to serve one another. Similarly, Nelson Mandela’s choice to forgive after spending 27 years in prison became a powerful example, inspiring an entire nation to pursue reconciliation.

   1. True leadership is not defined by titles or positions; it is demonstrated through actions.
      Leadership begins with a mindset and an attitude long before it is tied to any position. A title may grant you authority, but it is your consistent actions that earn you influence. While your title might tell people who you are and what they can expect, it is your behaviour that truly shapes, inspires, and motivates those around you in their own decisions.

Motivation for Leadership

Your motivation determines your endurance.
Colossians 3:23 tells us: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.”
Matthew 10:16 reminds us to be both wise and innocent in leadership.

If your motivation is people’s praise, you will be crushed when they criticise or ignore you. Think of a pastor who serves faithfully, yet some members gossip or complain. If his motivation is God’s approval, he can keep serving with joy.

In leadership, you will meet people who are jealous, bitter, or ungrateful. Moses, for example, led the Israelites out of slavery, yet they often grumbled against him. Still, he pressed on because his mission came from God, not man.

To conclude, don’t throw people away too quickly. Some of the most difficult people to lead may later become your strongest supporters. Peter denied Jesus three times, yet later became a pillar of the early church because Jesus did not give up on him.

Leadership is about becoming the best version of yourself for the benefit of others. It’s not about standing above people but standing among them—lifting, guiding, and serving.