Since the beginning of the leadership series, I have been trying to identify with the leader in you. There would not be a perfect time to talk about the cornerstone of leadership—Christ as now. John Maxwell in the Leadership bible writes “As the ultimate leader, God always initiates. He initiated the creation of the universe. He initiated the birth of our species. And he initiated the redemption process, extending himself to us so that we might be saved” The redemption process that saw the ultimate leader come to us in fresh is the reason we are celebrating this Christmas season.
So shall we only celebrate? No. Does this have any significance to leaders and aspiring leaders? Of course, because this is the time to reflect on the ultimate leader and the lessons he left clearly for us. One of the greatest lessons I learn about this season is that Gods redemption process extends towards us in his son. This means Christ is the rock to which every leader must build their leadership; leaders are not absolute and neither are they landlords rather they are stewards of the Lord.
Psalms 105:24 reminds us “O Lord, how manifold are your works; in wisdom, you have made them all. The earth is full of your possession.” This season should humble us to know that as leaders we are only stewards entrusted with the responsibility of leading others not because we are great and mighty rather as a job. The leadership job is a trust given to you, you must appreciate that the boss expects a lot from you embedded in humility, accountability, trust, loyalty, excellence, and achievement. This is because God can choose anyone else to do that responsibility you have but because you are chosen then you should be humbled and never forget that.
Another great lesson leaders need to understand is the love of God, leaving all his glory to the cross just for you and me, wretched as we are. It’s so clear that leadership is not about you as the leader; rather it extends to others. Every leader should be willing to pay a price to ensure that others are okay. Today we live in a world where we are continually thinking about the self, I, me, mine, and more so in our country.
The slogan I am my brother’s keeper is slowly dying for example if you are in business you must maximally sup profits from your customers, shouldn’t you? And never give some to charity, where do you benefit. If you are a politician then to be great accumulate obscene wealth and use it for your next campaigns, that’s a great strategy, isn’t it? While as a civil servant salary is never enough so use whatever available resources to top up nobody will know, will they? But as a church leader ensure that your congregation drops their last coins in the offertory and use it to buy the biggest car, build your home for you are in ministry, aren’t you?. And if you are a parent ensure that you give all you have, the best of all to see your children in the best schools but yes, of course, it doesn’t matter if your whole clan no one can afford school fees for even one child, they should look after their own children or use family planning.
That’s the attitude we are developing today, everything seems to rotate around us and it doesn’t matter if others are not part of it. The world shouts so aloud to follow its own standards to feel the power and authority that leadership entails. But the true gist of leadership is thinking further than ourselves, seeing our neighbor, community, nation, and the world and we selflessly offer to be part of the answer demonstrating the leadership model —Service above self and leadership maturity we should all aspire to have.
And if you don’t know Christ then it’s time to reflect upon this time and commit your life to the only cornerstone to which you can build a lasting leadership legacy.
Allen. K. Baguma
