What does it really mean to be a leader and lead like Jesus?

According to Vocabulary.com, “A leader is the one in charge, the person who convinces other people to follow.” 

Most definitions of a leader describe them as the head, the first, a ruler, a manager, or a decision-maker. In summary, a leader holds the highest authority in a specific group.

But what does the Bible say about leadership?

Matthew 20:26 (CEV) states, “But don’t act like them. If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others.”

Did you notice the difference? The world defines a leader as someone with the highest authority, while the Word of God says that a leader must be a servant to all.

One key quality of a leader is humility to serve. And this principle comes from the greatest leader of all time—Jesus. He didn’t just teach servant leadership; He modeled it Himself.

If you want to be a leader, here are three practical ways to lead like Jesus, based on a Beyond Small Talk episode with Jericho Arceo, Paul Herrera, and Peter Kairuz.

Lead Like Jesus – Step #1: Know yourself

First, you need to understand who you are. Here are some questions to help you with that.

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

• Why do you want to lead?

• What causes do you stand for?

• How can you serve the people?

• What do you still need to learn?

• Do you have a vision for the people you want to serve?

Leadership should not stem from selfish ambition or a desire for power—it should come from a genuine desire to serve others.

Paul emphasized, “I always believe that knowing yourself is winning half the battle. Sometimes, the reason it’s hard to lead others—even ourselves—is that we don’t truly know who we are. We don’t know our purpose, our identity, or where we’re headed. But once you do, leading becomes much easier.”

Lead Like Jesus – Step #2: Know the people you want to lead

The key here is understanding them on a personal level. These questions might help you accomplish this step:

• What generation do they belong to?

• What issues and problems are they facing?

• How open are they to change?

• What changes do they want to see?

• What are their weaknesses?

• Where do they excel?

• What do they value the most?

• What do they dislike?

Peter emphasized, “You have to understand them. That’s important.”

Knowing your people helps you understand how to lead them effectively. It’s difficult to lead people who don’t trust you. That’s why getting to know them on a deeper level can make or break your leadership. A good leader recognizes the unmet needs of their people and helps equip them to address those needs.

Most importantly, listen to them—so they know that you genuinely care.

Lead Like Jesus – Step #3: Surround yourself with the right people

Jericho shared, “For me, the people in my circle matter. I need to surround myself with those who are wiser and smarter so I can learn from them.”

Similarly, Peter added, “If you want to be wise, surround yourself with the wise.”

With that in mind, to grow as a leader, you must be around people who are more experienced or accomplished than you. Their wisdom—gained from years of trial and error—can help you avoid making the same mistakes.

After all, people often say, “Experience is the best teacher.” However, sometimes, learning from others’ experiences is even better than going through them yourself.

Peter put it this way: “Listen to older people’s advice. Not because they are always right, but because they have made more mistakes. Let’s learn from them so we don’t have to go through the same struggles.”

So, are you ready to be a servant-leader?

Indeed, it’s rare to find people who sincerely want to serve others. That’s why it’s admirable to hear it from those who genuinely mean it.

If you’re one of them, let this be a reminder that leadership comes with challenges. Even Jesus was betrayed and denied by some of His own disciples. This, in turn, shows that the road ahead won’t always be easy or smooth.

That’s why it’s always important to abide in God and lean on His word when making decisions. The Holy Spirit will be with you to guide and help you, too.

Ultimately, more than just the desire to serve, lead because God is calling you to do so. Because in the end, man’s ultimate goal is not to seek people’s approval but to hear the Lord say:

“Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” (Matthew 25:23, NLT)

Do you want to know more about God? Start your journey here.