As the Director of Logos University, Whippany, NJ Campus, I have begun a discussion about Leadership. As it evolves, I will add a stream of thoughts based upon John C. Maxwell's best seller, THE 21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP, and another bestseller, THE HOLY BIBLE.
Any questions or comments, contact me.
“Jesus of Nazareth:
What Kind of Leader Was He,
… as measured against John C. Maxwell’s The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership?”
Copyright, 2021 by Joseph Rocco Cervasio
With it being over 2000 years since Jesus of Nazareth’s crucifixion, and with his followers still listening, learning, and leading on the basis of his teachings and example, it is safe to say that this itinerant preacher not only was a leader, but that he was efficient, effective, and charismatic in that role. His effectiveness is measured by his doing the right things the right way; his efficiency seen in his doing things right, and his charisma obvious in his talent to get peoples’ attention, teach them, counsel them, lead them to act, and continue to do such so many years after his death and alleged resurrection to eternal life.
Why look at his leadership in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, and charisma?
- Charismatic? Well, certainly his talent to deliver a message to those who would listen can be considered exemplary simply based on the fact that millions have lived life successfully and/or have given their lives in his name, based upon his profound ability to get those who would listen to surrender their lives to his teachings. Today, you could say he was charismatic.
- Efficient? Based on the millions living and dead who have followed him, his leadership can also be characterized as his having done things right, … efficiency.
- Effective? Given the values he represented and the words he spoke in the name of life, salvation, liberty, happiness, and the profound peace, wisdom, and achievement that has resulted for his followers, you can say he led by not only doing things right, but also by doing the right things, e.g., his teachings were based on such timeless tenets as THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AND THE TEACHING OF ANCIENT WISDOM. Thus, an effective leader for sure as well.
However, in the 21st century, can the leadership of Jesus of Nazareth, (or Jesus Christ as his followers have honored him), still be considered so effective and efficient and charismatic when anti-Christian thinking is as dominant today as are those who would tab him as the Leader of all Leaders, the Messiah, Son of God, or even God in the flesh, i.e., the manifest image of the Father? Indeed, was not the blasphemy which got him executed and on the minds of many today as significant as his leadership reputation? So, let’s get busy by asking to grade his leadership against such current standards as …
John C. Maxwell’s The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.
- THE LAW OF THE LID, … that leadership ability determines a person’s level of effectiveness.
- When Jesus faced his challenge at the beginning of his ministry, he did not ask, “What can I do alone?” Rather, he enlisted the help of others, … the team of 12 apostles.
- When things went wrong, he examined himself first by going into prayer, seeking the guidance of a Higher Power.
- By constantly seeking guidance from ancient and current sources through prayer and discourse, he was always developing his leadership skill.
By Maxwell’s standards, Jesus scores strongly in the area of Leadership ability which trumps or puts the Lid on all other questions of effectiveness, efficiency, or charisma.
STAND BY, 20 MORE LAWS TO COME...
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