Certificate of Authenticity

Are you a collector? If so, what is the value of a baseball, signed by Babe Ruth, and encased in glass since 1934? What about a #3 GM Goodwrench door panel signed by Dale Earnhardt Sr.? What's the value?

Well, to be honest, about $23.95 for the baseball and $69.99 for the door panel - unless you have a Certificate of Authenticity. With that certificate, you can fetch over $180,000 for the ball!

Servant Leader, there is value in authenticity. If you are like me, you have probably heard it from your mother as much as from the pulpit, certain words or actions can "damage your witness." Nearly every culture has some form of the adage, "One lie ruins a thousand truths." The only way to counter either of those is by being authentic.

The Bible is replete with instruction to be honest and true. Jesus was keenly aware of the value of truth, after all, He is the truth.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6, NKJV)

But what does it mean to be authentic? (...in a world where even the "news" is suspect...)

Servant Leader, authenticity starts with basic honesty, is wrapped in humility, and shines with the light of transparency. Simply put, what you see is what you get.

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32, NKJV)

Authenticity starts with honesty. Just as my momma and the preacher said, a lie ruins your witness. You wouldn't lie under oath in a court of law. Servant Leaders, consider yourselves as being always under oath. Your foundation begins and ends with the truth. As firmly as truth underpins your foundation, a lie undermines it.

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matt 16:15-18, NKJV)

Authenticity also requires humility. The first word in servant leadership is servant; therefore, the first act of a servant leader is service. Serving others demands that we place others above ourselves and humble ourselves to the needs of those placed in our charge. Your job, Servant Leader, is to follow "The Golden Rule" by treating others not just equal, but better than you want to be treated yourself. By setting the bar of humility high, you are paving the way for the next servant leader to improve on your foundation.

Thirdly, authenticity requires transparency. The Washington Post runs a subtitle on its website that says, "Democracy Dies in Darkness." Servant Leader, everything dies in darkness. Nobody buys Babe Ruth's $180k baseball and stores it in a locked safe! It's put on display under glass and lights. Likewise, your actions, your words, your intentions should be transparent. Not only are you a beacon to your peers, your supervisors, and those in your charge, but you are paving the way for the next servant leader. You cannot pave a clear path if your true self is clouded. Authenticity requires transparency.

So, this post is a little more introspective than others, but it has to be. Servant leadership is a beacon, watched closely by others, emulated if successful, derided if not. If we are all to effectively lead the next generation of servant leaders, we must start by being authentic servant leaders ourselves.

(Letter courtesy of iconicauctions.com)