FINAL INSTALLMENT: JESUS OF NAZARETH, WHAT KIND OF LEADER WAS HE, AS MEASURED AGAINST JOHN C. MAXWELL'S 21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP?

“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 and charismatic simply based on the fact that millions have lived life successfully and/or have given their lives in his name. His charisma fueled 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, …indeed, he was efficient.
• 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 are based on such timeless tenets as THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AND OTHER TEACHINGS OF ANCIENT WISDOM. Thus, an effective leader for sure as well.

However, in the 21^st 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 voluminous today as are those who might 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, is not the blasphemy which got him executed and that which is still 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.

1. THE LAW OF THE LID, … that leadership ability determines a person’s level of effectiveness.

• When Jesus faced his challenge to lead 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 skills. (Romans 12:8)

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.

2. THE LAW OF INFLUENCE…that the true measure of leadership is influence.

• Jesus relied on his influence, not his position as rabbi or title to get people to follow him.
• Many asked for his advice.
• He relied on relationships rather than organizational procedures to get things done. (John 10:4)

Jesus scores high here on personal influence to get things done; hardly dependent on agreed upon procedures, showing how influential he was with others.

3. THE LAW OF PROCESS…that leadership develops daily, not in a day.

• Did Jesus have a concrete and complete plan for personal growth?**
• Did he engage experts and mentors on a regular basis?**
• It appears as a rabbi, Jesus surely read and studied to grow as a spiritual leader.

My questions above** imply the personal growth of Jesus fueled by his own study or the guidance of mentors is validated mostly in the rabbinical studies he experienced, while specific mentors are not revealed to any great degree. Perhaps his process of development was emanating from the Holy Spirit of God and his limited early temple tutoring. Indeed, some spiritualists might say the Father, the Son (himself) and the Holy Spirt were all he needed as experts and mentors!!??However, how would secular thought grade him on the Law of Process, with many of his leadership decisions seemingly coming from a spiritual perspective, … hardly tangible secular sources?(I Corinthians 2:1-4)**

4. THE LAW OF NAVIGATION…that anyone can steer the ship, but leaders chart the course.

• Jesus surely knew the obstacles ahead of his plans.
• In addition to the obstacles ahead, he also knew the pathway to fulfill his vision and the people and resources needed.
• He certainly had a plan.

So, it seems that as a leader, Jesus was charting a course, as a great navigator.

5. THE LAW OF ADDITION…that the leader adds value by serving others.

• He saw his team members’ problems as an opportunity to serve them.
• In his mind, what he taught them was for their good.
• In serving others, he was satisfying the need not only to help them, but to lead them. (Mark 10:43-44)

Most would agree that Jesus was all about adding value to others by serving them, and by his definition, thus leading them, i.e., “…he who serves shall lead…”

6. THE LAW OF SOLID GROUND… that trust was at the foundation of his leadership.

• Others trusted him to understand most sensitive issues.
• In the end, many of his followers were confident he would follow through with his plan, while at times some had their doubts in that plan.**
• He always spoke directly to everyone, leaving none to question his trustworthiness.

Trust in Jesus led millions to follow him, even to their death. However, in the days before his death, many of his followers did begin to doubt his plan, with their faith and trust in him waning until the report of his resurrection. Indeed, many had trusted him to overthrow the treacherous occupying Romans, but rather, they witnessed their crucifying him at the approval of the Jewish officials. So, while those who believed in his resurrection appearances and promises for the future trusted him in the end, there were many who had lost their trust in him at some point. **

7. THE LAW OF RESPECT… that others followed him because they saw him as stronger than themselves.

• Others just wanted to spend time with him.
• He respected their loyalty, thus gaining their respect
• He made decisions that benefitted others at his own expense.

Jesus gained respect because he gave respect to those weaker than him.

8. THE LAW OF INTUITION… that leaders evaluate everything with a leadership bias.

• Jesus easily gauged the morale of his followers.
• He took the correct action many times without explaining why.
• Without hard evidence he read situations and sensed trends.

Jesus was not only intuitive, as a thinker, listener, and doer, but he would also often offer counter-intuitive advice, because he knew intuitively, it was profound and supernaturally impactful in its effectiveness, e.g., “…give to receive, … die to live, … serve to lead…”

9. THE LAW OF MAGNETISM… that as a leader, who you are is who you attract.

• While he was satisfied with the caliber of people he attracted, he knew full well of their weaknesses and what they would need to be effective in sharing his message. Indeed, was there anyone like him that he attracted? **
• Did he expect those who were attracted to him to have similar values, skills, and leadership ability as his, or was he assured that over time the Holy Spirit of God, plus the words he spoke would lead them to develop like values, skills, and leadership? ** Of course, the results speak directly to this question.
• Was the growth of his followers dependent upon his own regular improvement? **

Jesus’ team was hardly like him at first. What he attracted through the LAW OF MAGNETISM was those who had the desire to be like him. **

10. THE LAW OF CONNECTION… that leaders touch hearts before they ask for a hand.

• Jesus was charismatic and supernatural in his ability to state personal connections with his followers, in many cases knowing about their lives in details unexplainable.
• He knew their hopes, dreams, and stories, confounding all. (Prov. 27:17)
• His request that they help him accomplish his vision was somewhat presumptuous, if not prophetic. Indeed, with such exceptions like the RICH YOUNG RULER**, most followed him without hesitation.

Considered by some as the most convincing communicator ever to walk the earth, Jesus always seemed to connect to the heart of everyone before asking them to follow him. However, not everyone, particularly the religious, felt connected to him. **

    11.THE LAW OF THE INNER CIRCLE…that a leader’s potential is determined by the people closest to him.

• At first the original 12 apostles of Jesus were hardly considered a team enhancing his potential. **
• Jesus relied on many to help accomplish his goals.
• Did 50% of the credit of Jesus’ success on earth go to his team? ** Or was it PROVIDENTIAL that his message, story, and promises be fulfilled, in spite of his team?**

While Jesus’ inner circle and the rest of his followers were essential to his carrying out his mission, in a spiritual and carnal sense, did they really matter? ** Or was his plan to go forward guaranteed to succeed regardless of who was on his team. Perhaps, the quality of his inner circle and their assistance in his achieving his goals are COUNTERINTUITIVE??**

12. THE LAW OF EMPOWERMENT… that only secure leaders give power to others.

• Embracing change was easy for Jesus, because change is what his objective was; and his dissatisfaction for the status quo was evident.
• He never was insecure about his position relative to his followers.
• He prepared his team to assume authority to make their own decisions and take risks; knowing that he had properly counseled them and would never leave them, given the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ entire objective was to empower his followers, and to take his gospel into all the worlds. As a true leader, what he taught them and what they saw him do, empowered them to follow suit in his name.

13. THE LAW OF THE PICTURE…that people do what they see.

• Jesus was always conscious of setting a healthy example for his followers and correcting their actions when he had to.
• His actions and words were always consistent.
• He never expected anyone to do anything he would not do. On the other hand, his accepting his verdict of death on a cross with no push-back relative to his innocence was certainly confusing and disappointing to many at the time. **

Certainly, Jesus was an example of how serving can lead to ultimate leadership. However, his total sacrifice in the end led to much confusion, disappointment and disbelief for many for a time. That picture to attract like behavior only would build over time, particularly after his resurrection. In fact, millions have followed his example over the centuries, even to the point of welcoming their losing their lives for his cause—doing what he did, because they saw or heard he did what he did. **

14. THE LAW OF BUY-IN… that people buy into the leader, then the vision.

• Jesus gained the credibility early in his public ministry, then the buy-in for his vision followed. (Acts 20:18)
• His request to commit to his vision came early as he told potential followers to, “…follow me.” Perhaps presumptuous? **
• Even when his vision implied his early death, most continued to follow him, but this would weaken closer to his arrest and trial by Pilate. **

So,  was the buy-in complete, or was it fragile until his alleged resurrection?**

15. THE LAW OF VICTORY… that leaders find a way for the team to win.

• Certainly, Jesus assumed total responsibility for his team reaching its goal.
• With a lack of unity on the team to achieve Jesus’ stated vision (e.g., Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denials), he did take action to get all on the same page.
• Indeed, he made the ultimate personal sacrifice to ensure victory for his followers, but many did not recognize it until after his death. **

Victory? Relative to the life of Jesus, the question is when did it come for him as a leader? Most would say, after his death. **

16. THE LAW OF THE BIG MO… that momentum is the leader’s best friend.

• He enthusiastically sacrificed every day for the sake of the team.
• When making his decisions, Jesus’ knowledge of the goal to get to the cross maintained his personal momentum. However, at the end of his ministry, had not momentum hit a wall? **
• His controversial goal to win ever lasting life for all believers through his paying the ultimate price was certainly suspect at his death, with momentum for his movement only reappearing after his resurrection.

The question is whether in his physical life, was momentum for Jesus as a leader lost at the cross? **

    17.THE LAW OF PRIORITIES…that leaders understand that activity is not necessarily accomplishment.

• He seemed to avoid any task that did not have a reward for accomplishing his task, while on certain occasions e.g., the death of his friend Lazarus, his followers were at odds with his delayed reaction. **
• It is difficult to discern Jesus’ degree of planning based on his priorities. However, the reality of his resurrection seems to validate even his most minute possible mis-steps, e.g., eating with sinners, etc.**
• His delegation of tasks during and after his earthly ministry implied his belief that his team members could be just as effective. However, was not his confidence here due to his belief that the Holy Spirit would direct them in his absence; certainly, they could not do it on their own? **

As with some of the discussion above, scoring Jesus on this Law depends whether you see his leadership ending at the cross, or continuing thereafter. **

18. THE LAW OF SACRIFICE…that leaders must give up to go up.

• Jesus showed little compromise when it came to his values, thus being firm in his leadership style with others. On the other hand, his ultimate sacrifice for others validated his mission and style. (I John 3:16)
• He gave much more than any of his follower; but many of them to this day are following his example of personal sacrifice.
• He gave up all of his rights as a human to fulfill his destiny as a leader! (Mark 10:38)

Even the non-believer would see Jesus as a leader who sacrificed much for others.

19. THE LAW OF TIMING…when leading is as important as what to do and where to go.

• In looking back on Jesus’ life, if you align with his results, then you would conclude his timing was as good as his strategy. Again, however, at the point of his death, … a failure seemed to be in the making. **
• Jesus’ strategy at the end of his earthly life seemed to be less than ideal. ** But looking back on it, was not his timing right?
• He certainly sensed when certain people were ready for an idea. Indeed, the Jews were looking for a messianic leader, and many would agree he came.

Some may say that in the spiritual Kingdom Jesus spoke of, … there is no dimension of time. So does timing really matter in his frame of reference? **

20. THE LAW OF EXPLOSIVE GROWTH…to add growth a leader leads followers, but to multiply growth, a leader leads leaders. (2 Timothy 2:2)

• Jesus believed that more than anything else, he could grow what he was building by developing leaders. Indeed, they are still carrying on his message today.
• He spent all of his time developing his original team.
• He let them go on their own after only three years of developing them.

Explosive growth is hardly a powerful enough word to describe how Jesus’ followers have grown and multiplied.

    21.THE LAW OF LEGACY…a leader’s lasting value is measured by succession.

• He knew what he had to do and what and who he was leading.
• He invested in those who could carry on after him.
• Jesus certainly left behind a team better than when he first found them! (I Kings 1:47)

Regardless of one’s beliefs about the divinity or humanness of Jesus, his followers comprise a succession group with a legacy unparalleled in human history.

CONCLUSION

Obviously, Jesus of Nazareth was one of the most profound leaders in human history. However, we cannot ignore Paul’s statements in his FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS, CHAPTER 15, VERSES 1-19; with the 17^th verse emphasizing that without the resurrection of Jesus, “…faith in him is futile and all are still in sin…”

Thus, the leadership of Jesus cannot only be looked at with secular or carnal eyes, because as such, without his rising from the dead, then his leadership is not only suspect in several of the 21 Irrefutable Laws, but it proved deadly for millions for no good ends. In fact, without his resurrection, was Jesus really a leader of note, or the greatest imposter of all time? After all, not only have countless been misled, but millions have gone to their graves seemingly on lies.

John C. Maxwell has written a wonderful work on Laws of Leadership, but to judge Jesus against those 21 tenets without emphasizing the SPIRITUAL NATURE of his leadership is suspect. Without a SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP discussion, which Maxwell does not orchestrate, Jesus certainly ranks high in most of the 21 Laws, but not all (see my ** comments). On the other hand, when you recognize the possibility of the full Gospel message, then the following cannot be ignored, and is conclusive:

• Jesus as portrayed as God incarnate, certainly must be considered infinite in his existence in knowledge, understanding and wisdom;
• …where Jesus may not score high against some of Maxwell’s Laws **, it may be because “…his Kingdom is not of this world…” (John 18:36);
• … with his identifying himself as “…the I AM THAT I AM, …” (John 8:58) then his world and his being is preexistent, timeless, and thusly incomparable, … and totally spiritual.
• …and as God, knowing the end from the beginning, (Isaiah 46:10), he hardly had to meet all the Laws where omniscience, prophetic knowledge, and infinite love infinitely compensates for any deficiencies in the secular and fleshly applications of Maxwell’s Laws.

Knowing John C. Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership will certainly strengthen the aspiring leader. Knowing Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Savior will provide a life-long avenue to one’s destiny as an Effective, Efficient, and Charismatic Leader, … just like HIM.