When we consider what leadership really means, we usually think of things like being in charge, having a fancy title, or influencing others. But if we look at the life of Jesus Christ, we see a completely different idea of leadership – one that’s not about having power or status, but about serving others, building strong relationships, and helping people change and grow.

Over a relatively short period of public ministry, Jesus formed a small group of ordinary individuals who would go on to influence the world. This alone raises an important leadership question: what kind of leadership produces lasting impact?

The key to understanding Jesus’ approach isn’t just about the strategies he used, but rather how he led his followers on a personal level.

His leadership style was all about building strong relationships with those around him. He didn’t try to lead from afar; instead, he chose to live among his followers, sharing in their daily experiences.

Through his interactions with them, he taught them valuable lessons, guided them when they needed it, corrected them when they were wrong, and encouraged them to keep going.

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For Jesus, leadership wasn’t a one-time event but an ongoing process that required patience, dedication, and a willingness to get involved in the lives of those he led. This reflects what modern leadership theory describes as a dynamic relational process – where leadership emerges through interaction, partnership, and shared purpose.

Jesus’ approach to leadership was about putting people first. He had a way of seeing the good in everyone, even when others didn’t. He chose ordinary people, like fishermen and tax collectors, and helped them become something more.

This shows that being a good leader isn’t just about picking the most qualified people, but about helping others reach their full potential. Jesus invested in people, and that’s what made His leadership so special.

He didn’t care about their background or skills. He just saw their value and wanted to bring it out. This way of leading is all about developing the people around you, and that’s what makes it so powerful.

In a South African context marked by inequality and limited opportunities, this insight is crucial.

Leadership must move beyond exclusion and create pathways for growth and development. Jesus’ leadership style was all about being genuine and true to his words. He didn’t just talk the talk; he walked the walk.

His life was a perfect reflection of the message he preached, and that’s what made him so trustworthy. When leaders do what they say they’ll do, it builds credibility and makes people believe in them.

It’s like they say, “actions speak louder than words,” and Jesus was the perfect example of that. He showed us that being a good leader is not just about talking about your values; it’s about living them out every day.

Jesus’ leadership was also marked by compassion

He engaged with the marginalised, the sick, and the excluded. Leadership here is inclusive, not selective. It reaches beyond comfort zones to address real human needs.

This really strikes a chord with the way leaders have always been seen in African cultures, where being a leader is about serving the community and showing you care. It’s all about respect and sharing a sense of who you are as a people.

What’s interesting is that Jesus’ way of leading is similar to these traditions. This means that good leadership in Africa isn’t something imported from elsewhere; it’s deeply rooted in African values.

Jesus’ approach to leadership was about putting people first. He had a way of seeing the good in everyone, even when others didn’t. He chose ordinary people, like fishermen and tax collectors, and helped them become something more.

This shows that being a good leader isn’t just about picking the most qualified people, but about helping others reach their full potential. Jesus invested in people, and that’s what made His leadership so special.

He didn’t care about their background or skills. He just saw their value and wanted to bring it out. This way of leading is all about developing the people around you, and that’s what makes it so powerful.

In a South African context marked by inequality and limited opportunities, this insight is crucial. Leadership must move beyond exclusion and create pathways for growth and development.

Jesus’ leadership style was all about being genuine and true to his words. He didn’t just talk the talk; he walked the walk. His life was a perfect reflection of the message he preached, and that’s what made him so trustworthy.

When leaders do what they say they’ll do, it builds credibility and makes people believe in them. It’s like they say, “actions speak louder than words,” and Jesus was the perfect example of that.

He showed us that being a good leader is not just about talking about your values but living them out every day. Jesus’ leadership was also marked by compassion. He engaged with the marginalised, the sick, and the excluded.

Leadership here is inclusive, not selective

It reaches beyond comfort zones to address real human needs. This really strikes a chord with the way leaders have always been seen in African cultures, where being a leader is about serving the community and showing you care.

It’s all about respect and sharing a sense of who you are as a people. What’s interesting is that Jesus’ way of leading is similar to these traditions.

This means that good leadership in Africa isn’t something imported from elsewhere; it’s deeply rooted in African values.

Servant leadership, as reflected in Jesus’ life, prioritises the needs of others and seeks their growth and well-being. It is a leadership that builds rather than exploits. Importantly, Jesus’ leadership was purposeful.

He had a clear sense of mission and direction. This clarity enabled Him to make decisions, resist distractions, and remain focused. Leadership without purpose easily becomes reactive and ineffective.

For South Africa, where competing interests and pressures often pull leaders in different directions, clarity of purpose is essential.

Leaders must know not only what they are doing, but why they are doing it. Jesus’ life is a great example of how leadership can be truly transformative; it doesn’t just change people, but also communities and can even alter the course of history.

What’s amazing is that His influence didn’t stop when His life ended; it has continued through the people He led and inspired, and that impact still has an impact today.

This brings us back to the central question: what kind of leadership does South Africa need today?

 The solution isn’t just about coming up with new ideas, but about going back to what has always worked – serving others, being honest, caring about people, and having a reason for what you do.

Leadership that sees people, develops them, and serves them. Leadership that lives what it teaches. Leadership that changes lives.

This column is the opinion of the writer and does not represent the views of Witbank News.

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