Leadership W3 Discussion

Description

The idea of the greatest leader being a servant just simply does not align well with today’s expectations of great leaders. Very similar to views from the First Century during Jesus’ ministry, today’s great leaders are often viewed as those with power, position and prestige. Yet, Jesus admonished in Matthew 20:25-28: “…Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. (26) But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; (27) And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. (28) Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (KJV).

For this discussion, reflect on Jesus’ words in Matthew 20:25-28 and use the Bible (all versions welcomed), this week’s readings, the results from your Servant Leadership Questionnaire, and other credible sources to address the following:

Briefly describe the seemingly paradoxical relationship implied in Matthew 20:25-28 that being “great” means to be a “servant.

Refer to the 10 characteristics identified by Spears (2002) in Robert Greenleaf’s seminal works that are central to the development of servant leadership. (Northouse text, chapter 10, p. 229) Describe 3 servant leadership characteristics from the list that were modeled most often by Jesus during His earthly ministry, and that you desire to develop in order to enhance your own role as a “Servant-First Leader.”