“Lead from the back–and let others believe they are in front.” –Nelson Mandela
Good leaders empower their teams. Good leaders lead from the back. Empowerment or leading from the back means giving others the power to make significant decisions.
As leaders, we need to nurture future leaders.
Peter tells us “Be shepherds of God’s flock, the believers under your care. Watch over them, though not because you have to. Instead, do it because you want to. That’s what God wants you to do. Don’t do it because you want to get money in dishonest ways. Do it because you really want to serve.” (1 Peter 5:2, New International Reader’s Version)
Servant leadership means leading from the back and leading alongside the flock. We can do so much more together.
How have you been a shepherd? How have you led from the back? How have you listened to God’s calling?
This message is excerpted from “Lead from the back” by Gwen Edwards from the July 18, 2016, blog of the Women of the ELCA. Today is the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Today we commemorate Anselm, Bishop of Canterbury, 1109.
Copyright © 2024 Women of the ELCA. Inquiries for permission to reproduce should be directed to [email protected].