Servant Leadership: What Jesus Teaches Us About Leading at Home and Work

Since recently returning to the school system, I’ve been thinking a lot about leadership lately. Not just leadership in the sense of running a business or leading a project, but the kind of leadership Jesus calls us to in our everyday lives. You know, that quiet, sometimes behind-the-scenes leadership that doesn’t look like the world’s idea of power, but instead looks like humility, service, and love.

It’s funny because the more I read Scripture, the more I see that Jesus turned the whole concept of leadership upside down. In our culture, leadership is often about influence, control, and being in the spotlight. But in the kingdom of God, it’s almost the opposite. Leadership isn’t about how many people follow you, but how many people you serve and influence. It’s not about making a name for yourself but about lifting others up to their fullest potential.

I have noticed a changing of the tides in the business realm in recent years, as companies and individual leaders seem to be incorporating (definitely not intentionally) some of the basic principles of Godly leadership. While we’re certainly moving away from our former authoritarian ways, we still have a long way to go. Here are a few things I’ve learned from Jesus on this topic and ways we can all lead a little better today.

Leadership as Service

One of the clearest teachings we get from Jesus about leadership comes when His disciples are arguing over who would be the greatest among them. They’re thinking about leadership in the way the world does, right? Positions of authority, titles, and recognition. But Jesus gives them a reality check:

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)

This passage really hits home for me because it’s so countercultural. Jesus, the King of Kings, came to serve, not to be served. And He’s telling us that this is what true leadership looks like. It’s not about titles, accolades, or even being in charge. It’s about putting others before yourself, looking out for their needs, and lifting them up.

When I think about this in my life, it’s challenging. Most men want recognition or to be in control. But real leadership in God’s eyes is humble service. Whether that’s within your family, at work, or in church, it’s about asking, “How can I help others? How can I serve them in love?” How can I represent the loving heavenly father to them? That’s the kind of leadership Jesus modeled.

Leading by Example

Another thing Jesus teaches us is that leadership isn’t just about telling people what to do. It’s about showing them the way by living it out. He didn’t just preach about love, humility, and forgiveness—He lived it! Even non-believers in the first and second centuries like Mara Bar-Serapion and Josephus attested that Christ was a man of virtue and that he performed great deeds.

There’s this powerful moment in John 13 where Jesus, on the night He’s going to be betrayed, washes His disciples’ feet. Think about that. Jesus, the Son of God, takes on the role of a servant, doing one of the lowliest tasks. And then He tells His disciples:

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15)

I can’t just talk about what it means to follow Jesus. In fact, in some situations, I can’t really talk about it at all. I have to live it in a way that others can see. If I’m going to lead, it means walking the path first—whether that’s in showing kindness, forgiving others, or putting others’ needs above my own. It’s easy to tell others what to do or how they should act, but true leadership requires that I live it out first.

Leadership as Sacrifice

Another big aspect of Jesus’ leadership is that it often involved sacrifice. He didn’t shy away from doing the hard things, even when they came at great personal cost. In fact, His ultimate act of leadership was laying down His life for us.

Jesus said in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Am I willing to sacrifice for those I lead? Am I willing to give up my time, my comfort, or my life for the sake of others? Jesus gave Himself completely, even when He probably didn’t want to. He often yearns to sneak off and pray, to rest, but He can’t leave people hungry.

In Mark 6:30-34, we see one of these moments when Jesus’ earthly body was tired, but instead of resting, He chose to stay and minister to the people. After His disciples returned from a mission, Jesus invites them relax:

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” (Mark 6:31-34)

Though tired and seeking rest, Jesus was moved by compassion for the crowd, choosing to teach and minister even when He was physically worn out. He goes on to minister for who knows how long and performs the miracle of the feeding of 5,000. Then, and only then, does he send the disciples away again, and retreat to the mountain for some prayer.

Sacrificial leadership isn’t glamorous. It might mean serving when you just don’t feel like it, stepping back from the spotlight, or letting someone else take credit. But that’s what Jesus did for us, and that’s what He calls us to do for others.

Leadership with Love

At the core of everything Jesus did was love. His leadership wasn’t about control or coercion—it was about loving people so deeply that they wanted to follow Him. This kind of love-driven leadership is so different from what we often see today.

Jesus summed it up when He said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

This hits me hard because it reminds me that no matter what kind of leader I am if I’m not leading with love, I’m missing the point. Love is the foundation. It’s what should motivate me to serve. Without love, leadership becomes empty and self-serving.

Leadership in Humility

Lastly, Jesus teaches us that true leadership is rooted in humility. I can’t think about leadership without recalling Philippians 2, where Paul talks about how Jesus, even though He was God, didn’t cling to His divine status. Instead, He humbled Himself, taking on human form, and became obedient to death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8).

This is profound. Jesus had every right to assert His authority and power, yet He chose humility. He didn’t come to Earth demanding praise or recognition—In fact, he often actively avoided it.

For me, this is a constant reminder to check my heart. Am I leading out of pride, or am I following Jesus’ example of humility? I can’t be too proud to do the small things to admit when I’m wrong.

Leading Out of Obedience

One of the most powerful aspects of Jesus’ leadership was His unwavering obedience to the Father.

In John 5:19, He says, “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.”

Jesus wasn’t acting on His own initiative but followed the Father’s direction in everything. His leadership was entirely aligned with God’s will, showing us that true leadership starts with seeking God’s guidance rather than relying on our own instincts or desires.

Leading out of obedience means putting God’s will above our own plans. Jesus modeled this perfectly in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Even when facing the cross, Jesus was obedient to the Father’s plan, demonstrating that sometimes leadership involves making tough decisions that go against our comfort, even our safety or lifeblood, but are aligned with God’s purpose.

This challenges us to ask: Are we leading from our own agendas, or are we humbly following God’s direction?

When we lead out of obedience, we trust that God sees the bigger picture, even when we don’t. It requires a heart surrendered to His will and a willingness to step out in faith or to wait when necessary. Like Jesus, we are called to align our leadership with the Father’s plans, which means we must start at the feet of the Father. We must know and study His word for guidance, and spend time in prayer, aligning our hearts with His.

Jesus gave us big shoes to fill…

Leadership, according to Jesus, is about serving others, leading by example, sacrificing, loving, and walking in humility and obedience. It’s not about power or control—it’s about putting others first and being willing to do the hard things.

I’m still learning how to live this out. But the more I look at Jesus’ life and immense legacy, the more I realize that this is the kind of leader I want to be. Not someone who’s chasing recognition or authority, but someone willing to set a Godly example.

Writing this has been cathartic for me— a summation of all the ideas that have been whirling in my head recently. I hope it also encourages you to walk in this kind of leadership, whether that’s in your families, at work, or in the church. Leading like Jesus isn’t easy, but it’s what we’re called to do. And we don’t do it alone—Jesus walks with us every step of the way.

God bless!