…You will lead by a completely different model. The greatest one among you will live as the one who is called to serve others, [27] because the greatest honor and authority is reserved for the one with the heart of a servant.

Matthew 20:26-27 TPT

But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Matthew 19:30 NIV

A month after my wife gave birth to our daughter, her doctor called us into her office for a meeting. She explained that my wife had developed a health condition after the birth and would need uninterrupted sleep at night to help manage it.

I remember sitting there thinking, “If my wife is sleeping, who’s going to be up at night with our one-month-old? Who’s going to take care of our five-year-old son?” Then it hit me—it was going to be me.

For the next nine months, I took on the nighttime routine. I was overwhelmed, sleep-deprived, moody, and at times numb—both mentally and emotionally. But what helped was reading the above scriptures and choosing to believe that God was calling me higher by teaching me to put myself last in my family—to put my wife, my son, and my one-month-old daughter first. 

Looking back, that was one of the most empowering chapters of my life. It shaped my strength, deepened my resilience, and built my character in ways I never expected. I learned how to find joy and happiness in putting others before myself.  

Why am I sharing a story about sleepless nights with my daughter in an article about leadership skills? Because in those non-glamorous, quiet hours that no one else saw, God was teaching me what it meant to be a leader. 

Leadership is not about having a prestigious position, role, or title. It’s about serving, learning to enjoy making others great, and anyone can find the motivation from the Scriptures to do it. 

When we let God teach us to be servant leaders, we become game changers in any group we are in. We help everyone function at their best, changing the outcome for the whole team. We don’t have to have the biggest or best personality or the most impressive resumé to do it. We just need to follow God so he can teach us to lead.

How does God teach us to lead?

Leadership is a spiritual skill everyone will need at some point; in fact, every follower of Jesus is called to lead other people to have a relationship with God (Matthew 28:18-20). So whether we consider ourselves leaders or not, everyone can and should learn the type of servant-leadership Jesus modeled. 

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. [17] Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” [18] And they left their nets at once and followed him.

Mark 1:16-18 NLT

God chooses each of us for a purpose. His first followers were ordinary fishermen; they did not have a glamorous or influential title. But Jesus saw what they could become. He told them he would show them how to lead people toward God. 

When we choose to follow Jesus as these fishermen did, he will show us how to lead others too. Here are some ways God leads us that we can learn from:

• God goes first. God teaches us to lead by leading us. He leads us with kindness, compassion, and self-sacrifice (Psalm 103:8-12, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 1 John 4:19).
• God equips us for success. God provides us with the gifts and tools we need, so we don’t have to figure things out alone. (1 Timothy 4:12-15).
• God helps us overcome fear. He loves us and uses everything (even our mistakes) for good (1 John 4:18-19).
• God inspires us to serve behind the scenes. He rewards us for the things we do that no one else sees (Matthew 6:1-4).
• God changes our motives. Through his Word, he helps us overcome obstacles like selfish ambition and pride, which make us undervalue other people (Philippians 2:4). 
• God promises to help when we ask. He doesn’t leave us alone; he tells us to ask boldly, and he will answer (Luke 11:9).

Now that we understand how God leads us, let’s look at some practical ways we can develop the spiritual skill of leadership.

How do we develop servant-leadership?

1. Become a great teacher by being a great learner.

The wise will hear and increase their learning, And the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth… 

Proverbs 1:5 AMP

When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame, But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

Proverbs 11:2 AMP

A wise leader is simply a person who keeps learning. We can learn from the “wise counsel” of others and from our experiences. As we get wisdom through victories, mistakes, and trials, we gain the ability to guide and teach others effectively through their trials.

2. Become a great leader by elevating others.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

Pride prevents us from valuing or showing interest in others. It makes us more concerned with our ego and achievements than with helping our team be successful. Humility lifts others up, making them feel seen, respected, and loved.

Take time to express to someone else that you value them today. Tell them what you appreciate, and take an interest in what’s on their plate.

3.  Become a great leader by developing great compassion.

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Matthew 9:35-37 NIV

Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly-not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. [3] Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.

1 Peter 5:2-3 NLT

Jesus was motivated to serve, lead, and teach because of his compassion and his desire to alleviate people’s suffering. When we have this same care, we won’t lead begrudgingly, but lovingly.

How do you see the people you lead? As a joy, a burden, or a bother? Compassion opens our hearts to care for others and motivates us to serve.

4. Become a great leader by learning to sacrifice.

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.

John 12:24 NLT

Jesus laid down his life for us—leading the way by sacrificing. Similarly, we need to understand that leadership means emotional and physical sacrifice. We will not always be the one who gets all the credit, but when we sacrifice our time and energy to help others flourish, their growth will be all the reward we need!

Questions for reflection

1. Where has God placed me to lead right now, regardless of what my role or title might be?
2. What’s one courageous step I can take to influence others for good this week?
3. What is a practical way I can serve or sacrifice for the people around me this week?

Next steps for becoming a game changer

• Do a deeper dive on the leadership of Jesus: Read through the story of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection with this 5-day reading plan. Reflect on his breakthroughs through prayer (Matthew 26:39-46) and his vulnerability with his friends (Matthew 26:36-38). Let him show you how to lead and work as a team with others.
• For further reading, check out the book  Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell. Focus on the section, “Soloist to Conductor: The Focus Shift,” which emphasizes the importance of moving from individual achievement to empowering and directing a team.
• Make a spiritual music playlist to inspire and motivate you to serve. Here are a few of my favorites: 
  • “Unpretty” – Jelly Roll
  • “Changin'” – Marieme
  • “Weight Of Your World”– Chris Stapleton
  • “Lifeline”– Alicia Keys
  • “That’s How Love Is Made” – The War and Treaty
  • “Care” – Kid Rock, Martina McBride, T.I.
  • “Lonely Dirt Road” – Dax
  • “The Journey” – H.E.R.
  • “Better Days” – Le’Andria Johnson
  • “Bloodline” – Alex Warren, Jelly Roll
  • “Sacred Space” – India.Arie

While listening to these songs, ask yourself these questions:

• Which songs or lyrics resonate most with me?
• How can I lead better in my current role—at school, work, home, or church?
• What’s one leadership habit I can start practicing today?
• Where has God given me influence that I may have overlooked?