Have you ever thought much about being a leader? Often times people think about being a leader or even talk about being a leader but have no idea where to begin.

What is leadership? Well, Webster’s defines it as “guidance, the capacity to guide or command.” Another definition might be, “influencing the attitudes and behavior of people toward the accomplishment of a goal.”

Have you ever heard of servant leadership? It seems like trying to mix oil and water, “serving” and “leadership.” Jesus actually gives us the perfect example of how these two can be combined. So, a definition of servant leadership might be, “influencing the attitudes and behavior of people toward the accomplishment of a goal while meeting the needs of people.” A servant leader leads from who he is…it is character-based leadership.

Several years ago, Gary Harbin published an article entitled, How to Determine Your Servant Leadership Quotient. In it he states 8 marks of a servant leader. I have found them helpful and taught them over the years. They simply state that servant leaders:

1. Love the people they lead (see John 15:13)

2. Are submissive

3. Possess a Christ-like attitude (see John 21)

4. Are humble

5. Do not fight for their rights

6. View leadership as a relationship

7. Are not power hungry

8. Are gentle but tough

Sound like any leaders you know? Sound like the type of leader you would like to be? Being a servant leader simply means leading from who you are. I think the plan is simple: Love God, love others and serve Jesus.