TOPIC 13

LEADERSHIP BY
EXAMPLE

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION
The one who leads must be like the one
who servesAnd I am among you as one who
serves
-Lk 22:2-28

LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLES

In one biblical incident, Jesus asked his

disciples: Do you understand what have I
done for you? You call me Teacher and
Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am.
Then He added: now that I, your Lord and
Teacher, have washed your feet you also
should wash one anothers feet. I have set
you and example that you should do as I have
doneand you will be blessed if you do it(Jn
13:12-17)

IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC
OF SERVANT-LEADERSHIP

An important characteristic of servantleadership is giving example. It is giving

examples that any person who follows will be
motivated especially when the examples are
clear and consistent it the behaviour of the
leader.

AUTHORITARIAN LEADERSHIP

The authoritarian leader imposes the

desired behavior in an organization
whereas a servant-leader models the desired
behavior. The authoritarian approach may
achieve temporary compliance, but it will be
accompanied by an attitude of resentment.
People will carry out commands because they
have to and be on lookout for ways to
circumvent the order imposed.

SERVANT-LEADERSHIP

Approach creates a spirit of ownership

involvement and commitment among the
people. The attitude they will have is, if
its good enough for the leader, then its
good enough for us, Its not only easier for
them to take ownership leads to their full
involvement and commitment. The servantleadership approach is far more effective in
producing lasting beneficial results.

LEADERS FOR TODAY HOPE FOR

TOMORROW
Authoritarian Leadership

Servant-leadership

Communication is one-way-topdown.

Communication is two-way
between the leader and
subordinates. The leader states
his point of view, but is open to
listen.

Orders, commands.

Influences, listens, persuades.

Uses position power

Uses personal power.

People give compliance. Do

things because they have to.

People are committed. Do things

because they want to.

People out in time required, i.e.

work from 9am to 5pm.

People put in time and energy.

People produce to meet

requirements only.

People perform beyond

expectation.

People are lethargic-energy

decreases.

People are enthusiastic- energy

increases.

EXAMPLE OF LEADERSHIP BY
EXAMPLE

If you ask a co-worker to do something, make

sure you'd be willing to do it yourself.
If you implement new rules for the office,
then follow those rules just as closely as you
expect everyone else to follow them. For
example, if the new rule is "no personal calls
at work," then don't talk to your spouse at
work. You'll be seen as dishonest, and your
staff may become angry and start disobeying
you.

EXAMPLE OF LEADERSHIP BY
EXAMPLE

Look closely at your own behavior. If you criticize

people for interrupting, but you constantly do it
yourself, you need to fix this. Yes, you want people
to pay attention to one another and listen to all
viewpoints, so demonstrate this yourself.
If, in the spirit of goodwill, you make a rule for
everyone to leave the office at 5:00 p.m., then you
need to do it too. If you stay late to get more work
done, your team may feel guilty and start staying
late too, which can destroy the whole purpose of
the rule. The same is true for something like a
lunch break if you want your team to take a full
hour to rest and relax, then you need to do it too.

SERVANT-LEADERSHIP
EMPOWERS PEOPLE

It is true that servant-leader empowers

people through example, guidance, care,
understanding, sensitivity, trust,
appreciation, encouragement, reinforcement
and shared vision. Servant-leadership is much
more than a mere leadership style or
behavior that we can learn to act out. It
begins with the mind and heart-with our
attitude.