Leaders Follow Jesus – Youversion Summary (Learning to lead like Jesus Devotional)

“Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” – Mark‬ ‭10:42-45‬ ‭NIV‬ http://bible.com/111/mrk.10.42-45.niv

If you want to learn how to be a leader, then the best place to begin is by learning from the greatest leader—Jesus. 

• Jesus was a servant leader. 
• He had great communication skills, 
• He valued people, and 
• He equipped His team to do their best work. 

These are all skills great leaders must develop not only for themselves, but also for the people they lead.
https://youtu.be/TE8IB0TU1qw
Practical: Study the Gospels and pay special attention to how Jesus led people.

Effect of Jesus’ Leadership: In just three short years, He equipped His team to do the important work of developing the Christian church, and because of them, the church thrives. Jesus was the kind of leader that people were eager to follow, which is a quality all leaders should aspire to have. 
Leaders Cultivate Respect

“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.” – Luke‬ ‭5:27-28‬ ‭NIV‬ – http://bible.com/111/luk.5.27-28.niv

Leading people means not only being a good example, but also learning how to cultivate respect from your team so they are willing to follow you.

There are four skills you can develop to become the kind of leader that others want to follow: 

• speaking with clarity, 
• being warm and approachable, 
• influencing the behavior of others, and being 
• authentic. 

Leaders Show Compassion

“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” – Mark‬ ‭6:34‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – http://bible.com/111/mrk.6.34.niv

One of the traits of a good leader is knowing and understanding the needs of others. 

This trait is compassion. 

It is about having 

• grace, 
• mercy, and 
• sympathy for your fellow man. 

Jesus emulated these traits and taught His disciples to do the same.

When you meet the needs of people, they are more willing to follow and listen to you. 

In his inaugural address, Jesus clearly outlined the theme of compassion for his three and half year term on earth: “…good news to the poor,” “freedom for prisoners,” and “release for the oppressed” (Luke 4:18-19). This was his press release for his mission.

Though there were many needs to be met, Jesus was not needs-driven, he was strategically-driven. 

He waited for a year and a half before he selected a team of twelve who could handle the resources and ramifications of corporate compassion efforts with the crowds. 

Jesus brought focus on the need for tangible compassion to his neighbors…those who were “nearby.” Who is our neighbor? How can we possibly determine what needs should be the focus of our compassion?

So Jesus shared a story that provided a barometer of neighbor-love. It was a story that brought back the lessons of relational diversity that he had modeled at the beginning of their journey together. The focus was not on the one receiving compassion but who would offer the compassion. They were not in Samaria but a Samaritan was highlighted.

Jesus of course did not meet every need that was presented to him, yet he was always alert, and often proactive to weigh opportunities to serve based on the fulfilling of his personal and corporate missions. 

Jesus seemed to measure how well he was loving God by asking “did I love those whom he brought nearby me today?… and “is this opportunity creating a deep emotional response in me because it aligns with my mission?”

As in the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus had the same emotional response as he walked through some villages and towns. It was the deepest emotional term for compassion that could be used. In today’s nomenclature the term would be translated—“to spill my guts.”

As he surveyed the condition of the people in the towns and villages he wept. 

He declared through his tears, “These people are like sheep that are harassed and have no direction.” 

Sheep were totally dependent on the leadership of the shepherd. Leadership was a shepherd’s primary role and when the sheep wandered away, the shepherd was to guide them toward green pastures.

The sheep were dependent on the shepherd for the opportunity and direction to find food and shelter. Jesus knew that what people needed then, and still need today, are compassionate leaders who will provide selfless direction for the people near them.

As Jesus reflected on the city of Jerusalem, He became an “emotional mess.” This is not the lasting impression that most leaders wish to leave on their followers.Why was Jesus so emotional? He saw a city that needed compassionate leadership.

You demonstrate compassion “for one of the least of these” you do it for Jesus.

Mother Theresa “I was not called to serve the poor, rather I was called to serve Jesus and he led me here.” Serve Jesus wherever you are and he will lead you to places that need your compassion, your prayer, to serve with those who are great examples of being a “Good Samaritan.” Jesus’ business was the people business

Practical: Prayerfully consider what the people in your team need to succeed, and help them get it.

Compassion is what moves you to help people, and helping people is the cornerstone of leadership. Compassion opens your eyes to the needs of others so you can provide leadership, security, and relief—not only to help your projects succeed but to help your team members as well. To be the most effective leader, though, you need to know how to balance compassion with strength and authority. 
Leaders Balance Strength with Grace

It takes a strong person to be a leader. Sometimes a leader faces difficult challenges like making unpleasant decisions and taking responsibility for failures. A leader might have to take a hard stance or correct someone who is wrong.