Servant Leadership: Speak Truth to Power!

“Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.” (Prov 16:12, NIV)

Let’s just get this out of the way now. Servant leaders have a responsibility to correct wrongs. Sometimes that means turning over corrupt money changers in the Temple (John 2:13-17) and sometimes that means rejecting an ill-gained advantage. As servant leaders, we don’t get to choose when to apply God’s word to a situation, only how people will remember us. Did we practice what we preached? Are we the light clearing a path in the darkness or just another train in someone’s tunnel?

When I was in high school, I remember watching Christian Slater “stick it to the man” as an unregistered DJ in New Line Cinema’s Pump up the Volume. The teenage Slater masterfully preached righteousness to corrupt officials while singlehandedly deconstructing order and sowing chaos at his high school – until he was taken off the air, that is. The move made an indelible impression on me, but that’s not the kind of “speaking to power” I’m talking about. Slater’s Mark Hunter wasn’t righteous, except in his own mind.

Jesus is clearly the best example in history of servant leadership, although we could point to others like President John F. Kennedy, former Secretary of Defense Gen. Jim Mattis (USMC Ret.), or even Tim Tebow. I could fill volumes of books writing about each unique leadership lesson Jesus imparts. Twelve-year-old Jesus telling his mother, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49) He didn’t stand for it when He saw money changers short changing Jews at the temple. He rebuked his own disciples, healing the high priest’s servant before acquiescing to their authority. (Luke 22) When confronted with false accusation, and in the face of death, Jesus didn’t defend himself, instead wisely placing the responsibility on Pilate’s shoulders by answering, “You have said so,” when asked, “Are you the king of the Jews?” (Luke 23:3)

Servant leaders, we have the opportunity nearly every day to set things right. While our actions likely won’t lead to 39 lashes with a cat-o-nine-tails or crucifixion, it might feel like it. (Matt 27) When you have the choice to go along with the crowd and benefit along with everyone else, or possibly put your career on the line by saying “stop!” it very well might be the end of your career.

But it is equally important to correct the situation when seemingly nothing is on the line, like when everyone continues on their way ignoring the funeral procession going the other direction. Nobody will care if you don’t stop and pay your respects. You didn’t know that person. But Jesus did, and Jesus does. It’s often said that character is doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. Well, servant leaders do the right thing no matter the price – great or small.

And don’t forget to praise your subordinates, associates, and even your bosses when they do the right thing or when they correct a wrong. It is never easy, even for kings. And everyone likes to be validated, even in the little things.

(Moyle, A. (Director). (1990). Pump Up the Volume [Motion Picture].