Humble Leaders

What makes a good leader? These days, it’s easier to look at our leaders and state what makes someone not a good leader: self-interest, callousness, profiteering, cowardness, all forms of pride and greed. We want leaders to actually lead, not just dictate from plush cushions. We want leaders who see us and move us move. We want leaders worth following.

Leaders should come from the best of the people, not through inherited or bought positions. They should be ones who exemplify the best of the people’s virtues and inspire followers to do the same. They should be invested in making the community better and committed to doing so. But too many leaders think that by gaining power, they have earned to live apart from the people. They command how the people live but themselves live by different rules. They make money at the expense of helping the community. They are immune from consequences or shame. That is for poor followers, not leaders.

There is a lack of humility in leadership today. Admitting wrong is weakness. And strength is everything. In politics, in business, in church—people confuse strength and confidence with righteousness and honesty. The veneer of leadership means more than actually leading.

But a good leader knows that her position comes not from strength but trust. And trust must be earned and maintained. “With great power comes great responsibility.” The people have placed their trust in their leader, and in turn, that leader now bears more responsibility over her people. A good leader feels the weight of that responsibility. A good leader cares about the outcome for the followers, not for personal success and polling numbers but for the betterment of the community. A pastor is responsible for the souls of his parish. A mayor is responsible for the residents of his city. The people may not have voted for that leader or even like that leader, but that leader now has a responsibility to seek everyone’s best interests. A good leader is humble and selfless—qualities we don’t often see in our leaders.

Leaders should be the ones to sacrifice first. They don’t let someone in their care suffer more than they are willing to suffer. If there is one bed, the leader sleeps on the floor. If there is one piece of bread, the leader goes without dinner. If there is one place on the boat, the leader stays in the water. A good leader sacrifices for her people. A good leader teaches us to sacrifice for others. A good leader earns power through strength—not the forceful kind, but the silent strength of accepting a burden and giving for others without compliant.

When I think of the leaders in my life, I don’t imagine any willing to sacrifice for me. I doubt any of my political leaders would even take a 3% tax hike for me, much less actually give up their comfort or their life. Why should I follow someone who doesn’t take responsibility in their leadership? How do any of us figure out what a virtuous life looks like when our leaders can’t demonstrate it for us? Yes, we are responsible for ourselves, but our leaders are responsible for us too. They fail us when they fail to be good leaders. And frankly, their souls are in more danger. I may fail by burying one talent in the ground, but you better not bury ten.

I wish leaders had more humility and shame and willingness to sacrifice. But power is seductive, and it’s easier for someone wealthy or in power to lose their soul to pride and greed. It’s just that when leaders lose their souls, they often take followers with them.

I want to be led. I’m just waiting around for a good shepherd.