“True leadership must be for the benefit of the followers, not to enrich the leader.” – John C. Maxwell

The greatest leader of all time is Jesus. In studying His life, we see He is the best example of leadership we can aspire to. How did He lead? As a servant, lovingly, He lived side-by-side with the people who followed him. He made Himself vulnerable, sacrificing everything, even His life.

“A leader...is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.” – Nelson Mandela

Sometimes leadership is willingness to go first. Sometimes leadership is directing from behind. Always leadership is putting other people ahead of ourselves.

When we live with an abundant mindset, knowing there will always be enough, our lives become an invitation for others to enter the same life style. Whether we intend to or not we model something with our lives. And people will follow us for better or for worse. As any parent knows, children copy actions not our words. This is true for the people we surround ourselves with as well.

Are we a positive influence on the people spending time with us? Do we model a life lived in abundance? Are we the leader others dream of having?

Who is a leader that has had an impact on your life? What attributes stand out to you about them? How can you make adjustments in your own life in order to grow to be the type of leader you aspire to?

“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.”

— Matthew 20:26