You know that the 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 your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Do you know that people prefer leaders to managers? They would rather be led than managed.
This message by United Technologies Corporation of Hartford, Connecticut was published in the Wall Street Journal: "People don't want to be managed, they want to be led."
"Whoever heard of a world manager? World leader, yes. Educational leader, political leader, religious leader, scout leader, labor leader, business leader, etc. Why" Because they do not manage, they lead. The carrot always wins over the stick. Ask your horse. You can lead your horse to water but you can't manage him to drink. If you want to manage somebody, manage yourself. Do that well and you'll be ready to stop managing... start leading."
Not everyone can be a good leader and a good manager at the same time. Some are excellent managers while some are strong leaders.
Writer Don Martin in his book Team Think notes the differences between a leader and a manager:
A manager administers, a leader innovates;
A manager maintains, a leader develops;
A manager plans, a leader directs.
Many people want to be leaders for the wrong reasons. They smell glamour and personal glory in leadership. Will they find it there?
Parents of college applicants in a university were asked, "What would you like your child to be - a leader or a follower?" A father, after much thought, wrote that his child, although a very individualistic person, was really more of a follower. Not long after, the college admissions director wrote the father back, "We feel he'll fit in specially well. Because he will be the only follower in a class of 412 leaders!" As it turned out, all the other parents wanted their children to be a leaders.
To dream high for your children is to want to see them become leaders, not managers.
Thomas Monaghan is the founder, president, and chief executive officer of Domino's Pizza, Inc. From 1970, Domino's grew from a small debt-ridden chain to one of the largest pizza companies in America with sales reaching over $1 billion in 1985.
Asked for the secret of his company's phenomenal growth, Monaghan replied, "I programmed everything for growth. Everyday we develop people - the key to growth is developing people." This is a pizza parlor, but he was looking out for people and not for the right recipe for a tasty crust or fast delivery schedules. Knowing how to deal right with your people is the key to effective leadership.
Friends, think of the cost of leadership, not of its glamour. Jesus gave Himself to people day in and day out, instructing them in God's Word. He made sure that His life was the truest example of excellence in leadership.
What was Christ's golden rule for being an effective leader?
People are changed because they see a clear example to follow. There is no need for coercion and intimidation. Jesus Christ was the perfect example. Follow His leadership style. His is the most effective way. As a matter of fact, the only Way.