Impactful Leadership

Was Jesus a great leader? We tend not to think of him in those terms.  Most see him as a great teacher, gentle healer, and loving example, but by all measurements he was a tremendous leader. He gathered a diverse team of relative unknowns and forged them into a world-changing force in three short years. His mission continues to grow and expand centuries past his core team. So, yes…Jesus was and remains a great leader. 

Fortunately, Jesus left us with his personal philosophy of life: The Beatitudes in Matthew 5. The Beatitudes describe eight defining qualities that summarize the way Jesus lived and led. Stepping back, they provide a compelling portrait of Jesus for all leaders of all times. They signal how to live a full and meaningful life and offer leaders a roadmap for bringing life to an organization and well beyond.

This series, Life-Giving Leadership is meant to reflect the unique distinction of Jesus’ leadership style. He modeled a peaceful and joyful life while delivering extraordinary good to others. Experienced leaders know how challenging work/life balance can be, but Jesus stands out as one who pulls it off perfectly. While he certainly endured exhaustion, hunger, and frustrations, his way of doing life and leadership was restful to the soul. He described it as an easy yoke and light burden (Matthew 11:28-30).

To unpack these eight Beatitudes, Life-Giving Leadership is organized around three categories of expanding disciplines and influence: First is Righteous Leadership, which explores Jesus’ nature and how he composed himself through humility, heart-centeredness, and teachability. Second is Giving Leadership, which explores how Jesus led his team through excellence, graciousness, and alignment. Third is Impactful Leadership, which explores Jesus’ impact on community through generosity and selflessness, and eventually universally and eternally.

The Beatitudes represent Jesus’ intentional way of doing life and the kind of life available to anyone willing to follow Him. They continue to serve as a framework for leaders to apply in the real world, a framework that invigorates participants personally whilst simultaneously impacting others in extraordinarily positive ways.