FOLLOW THE LEADERthan “go it alone,” Biblical leaders want to take as many partners as
possible along with them to the goal. They know that the more people
who share in the victory – the greater that victory! There is a well-known
leadership maxim that says: “It’s lonely at the top.” If that is true, it is
because the leader did not take anyone with him! The role of Biblical
servant leadership is to take as many partners as possible to the top with you!
That way it will never be “lonely at the top” – but rather “lively at the top!”
While reading the August 2005 airline magazine, Silkroad, I came across
this quote by Wil Rose: “Success is not counted by how high you have
climbed but by how many people you brought with you.” Always be eager
to include others in your climb.
Principle:
“It’s only lonely at the top for the leaders who do not
take others to the summit with them!”In most churches and organizations, there are far too many uninvolved
people. They just occupy the pew...fill up space...sit around the
parameters...spectate from a safe distance. Leadership consultant Bobb
Biehl has concluded about the American church: “Our pews are filled with
‘relationally disconnected people.’”^2 They have a relational vacuum in their lives
that is seeking to be filled by something meaningful. Richard Phillips
describes these people as the ones who “...can be found loitering in the
margins.”^3
Millions of people are marginalized...on the sidelines...on the outside-
looking-in...uninvolved...watching life go by. Oftentimes it is their own
fault...their own lack of motivation...their crippling insecurities...their
disabling sense of inadequacy...their simple lack of experience. At other
times it is because of the faulty leadership style of the person at the
top. Many leaders are “control freaks” who have to have their hands in
every part of the organizational pie! They will not give up any power or
responsibility to others. Like a prima donna on a basketball team, this kind
of leader has to “call all the shots” – and “make all the shots!” He is both
the coach and star player! One of the greatest challenges for many leaders
is to learn to “let go”...“take their hands off ”...“give up control”...“step
onto the sidelines.” They must discipline themselves to engage, energize,
enable these on-lookers...by-standers...pew-sitters. Unless a leader