Show me a successful business, ministry, or organization, and I’ll point you to their leadership. Now, the term “great” is subjective. The things that make leadership seem great for one business may not work well in another ministry. Christian entrepreneurs and ministry leaders don’t have to look very far to find great lessons in leadership.

The Bible contains so many examples of leadership – both good and bad. Ephesians 2:19-22 reminds us that Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, the foundation upon which everything else depends. He provides us with the best example of what it means to be a leader. When we adopt Jesus’ leadership skills, we can discover God’s purpose for our business and ministry. This blog outlines 3 lessons in leadership from Jesus.

Those lessons in leadership are:

1. Leaders Communicate

2. Leaders Create Systems and Processes

3. Leaders Transform

1. Leaders Communicate

Merriam-Webster defines communication as “the act or process of transmitting information (about ideas, attitudes, emotions, or objective behavior).” Another definition calls it an “exchange of information between individuals through a common system of signs, symbols, or behavior.” This sounds easy enough, but some leaders could do a better job of listening to the thoughts and ideas of the people who follow them. An age-old axiom says, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” When you intentionally listen to the people you lead in business or ministry, it gives them space to feel valued.

Jesus reflected this level of care when speaking to His disciples. In Matthew 13, Jesus explains some important lessons in life and ministry through parables. He also gave them the space to ask questions. After Jesus shared The Parable of the Sower in front of large crowds in Matthew 13:1, His disciples felt comfortable enough to question his approach to leading people. Matthew 13:10 says, “The disciples came to him and asked, ‘Why do you speak to the people in parables?’” How would you respond to one of your followers questioning your methods? We don’t see Jesus make the disciples feel bad for questioning His approach. Instead, He provides a lengthy explanation in Matthew 13:11-23. Here, Jesus teaches us an important lesson: communication skills are an essential element for any great leader to possess. 

2. Leaders Create Systems and Processes

When you go to a dental office, who is the first person to greet you? It’s not the dentist. First, you fill out paperwork or wait in a reception area. Then you may meet with a dental hygienist before a dentist ever meets with you. Systems and processes help a dental office run smoothly. When Jesus walked the earth, He also implemented systems and processes in His ministry.

Systems make it possible to do work without a leader physically present. Jesus knew that one day He wouldn’t physically be with His disciples. In Mark 6:6-7, we see Jesus create a functional system that allows His disciples to minister to more people. The scripture says, “Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.” Jesus teaches us an important lesson in leadership here: great leaders create systems. The idea is not for Jesus to have the sole ability to perform the great work He was sent on earth to do. Through strong leadership, Jesus empowered people to continue His mission long after He left. The systems created in Biblical times have developed into ministries that make it possible for us to do the work of Jesus today.

3. Leaders Transform

When you follow a great leader, something changes. Good leaders produce growth and development in the people they lead. That’s a promise we see Jesus make to His disciples in Matthew 4:19. Jesus told his first disciples, Simon and Andrew, that they would experience transformation when they followed Him. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Simon and Andrew started as fishermen searching for food. Jesus transformed their assignment and helped them grow into spiritual leaders.

Think of a great leader in your life. What did they do to impact you? How did your life change for the better because of their investment? Good leadership is transformational. If you don’t have a vested interest in seeing positive changes in the people who follow you, they may stop believing in your vision. Jesus cared about his mission on this earth and the people who walked alongside him. His focus was to transform individuals, and therefore the world, to reflect the Kingdom of Heaven. 

At WealthBuilders, we believe in doing the work to develop into better leaders. Whether you’ve been a leader for some time or are just getting started, leadership is a muscle that can always be improved.. Leadership mastery happens over a lifetime. We have several resources to help you grow as a leader, personally and professionally. Check out my Leadership Mastery book to learn more about how you can grow as a leader and empower others in this area. You can also dive deeper and grow as a leader in WealthBuilders University, which features courses like Foundations and Functions of Leadership.

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