Leadership Model, Part 4
A study of Jesus’ life as a teacher , particularly as outlined in the Gospels of Saint Matthew and Saint Luke, reveal at least nine leadership characteristics of Jesus, which in one form or another reflect and support the virtues that Western societies value. The nine characteristics are: (1) self discipline; (2) forgiveness; (3) humility; (4) judgment—or doing the right thing; (5) vision and confidence; (6) perseverance; (7) respect and loyalty; (8) good communications; and (9) acceptance of responsibility and accountability.
Each of these characteristics reflects one or more of the virtues of an effective leadership model for a society based on Western traditions. The characteristics themselves do not reflect each virtue singly but combine portions of each virtue to some extent or another. As such, except for the first characteristic, self-discipline, their order or ranking is not consequential. For the sake clarity and better understanding, I have attached to each characteristic the virtues that were most salient to that specific characteristic.
Jesus’ life, as described in the Gospels of Saint Matthew and Saint Luke, provides us with numerous examples of these characteristics. Through an analysis and evaluation of each in turn, we can learn how to become better and/or more effective leaders.
1. Self Discipline encompasses the virtues of courage, temperance and prudence. It is not surprising that Saint Matthew’s account of Jesus’ ministry begins with the devil’s temptation of Jesus. His resistance to, and victory over temptation reflects the first characteristic of a leader: A leader must seek to master himself before he seeks to master others. It takes great courage, prudence, and temperance to do this. A leader must be prudent, that is, he or she must not place themselves in positions which temptation may be irresistible. The lesson of the 40 days in the desert and His victory over temptation means that a leader must first be self-disciplined. Master yourself before you seek to master others. For the moral is that we cannot ask more of others that which we are not willing to do ourselves. In similar vein, a leader should practice what he preaches for in order to be a great leader you must also be a follower. Jesus always claimed that he was following the Father’s will. As such, he was the greatest of followers and his leadership example is with us 2000 years later as a model for all leaders to emulate.
The importance of self-discipline cannot be overemphasized as a principle in any model of effective leadership. There is nothing more detrimental to the moral and direct authority of a leader than not following what he preaches. In this context, Mother Teresa pointed out that “Often we Christians constitute the worst obstacle for those who try to become closer to Christ; we often preach a gospel we do not live made the best observation. This is the principle [sic] reason why people of the world don’t believe.”
According to Saint Matthew, Jesus himself addressed this issue, telling the people not to follow the scribes and the Pharisees because they preach but they do not practice: “They tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people’s shoulder but they will not lift a finger to move them.” Therefore, a leader must, first and foremost, practice what he preaches.
Each of these characteristics reflects one or more of the virtues of an effective leadership model for a society based on Western traditions. The characteristics themselves do not reflect each virtue singly but combine portions of each virtue to some extent or another. As such, except for the first characteristic, self-discipline, their order or ranking is not consequential. For the sake clarity and better understanding, I have attached to each characteristic the virtues that were most salient to that specific characteristic.
Jesus’ life, as described in the Gospels of Saint Matthew and Saint Luke, provides us with numerous examples of these characteristics. Through an analysis and evaluation of each in turn, we can learn how to become better and/or more effective leaders.
1. Self Discipline encompasses the virtues of courage, temperance and prudence. It is not surprising that Saint Matthew’s account of Jesus’ ministry begins with the devil’s temptation of Jesus. His resistance to, and victory over temptation reflects the first characteristic of a leader: A leader must seek to master himself before he seeks to master others. It takes great courage, prudence, and temperance to do this. A leader must be prudent, that is, he or she must not place themselves in positions which temptation may be irresistible. The lesson of the 40 days in the desert and His victory over temptation means that a leader must first be self-disciplined. Master yourself before you seek to master others. For the moral is that we cannot ask more of others that which we are not willing to do ourselves. In similar vein, a leader should practice what he preaches for in order to be a great leader you must also be a follower. Jesus always claimed that he was following the Father’s will. As such, he was the greatest of followers and his leadership example is with us 2000 years later as a model for all leaders to emulate.
The importance of self-discipline cannot be overemphasized as a principle in any model of effective leadership. There is nothing more detrimental to the moral and direct authority of a leader than not following what he preaches. In this context, Mother Teresa pointed out that “Often we Christians constitute the worst obstacle for those who try to become closer to Christ; we often preach a gospel we do not live made the best observation. This is the principle [sic] reason why people of the world don’t believe.”
According to Saint Matthew, Jesus himself addressed this issue, telling the people not to follow the scribes and the Pharisees because they preach but they do not practice: “They tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people’s shoulder but they will not lift a finger to move them.” Therefore, a leader must, first and foremost, practice what he preaches.
posted by Ignacio | 9:11 PM
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