Serve others by working

This weekend I shared a leadership idea with my athletes that has the potential to help them become great leaders on their high school teams. I encouraged them to be servant-leaders by using their gifts and talents to serve others.

Our society is postured in a way that motivates us to work so that we can be served. Instead, we need to serve others by working. It's not about making money so people can wait on us. We should be waiting on others. The idea is not to work to be served by others, but to serve others by working.

The most important aspect to leadership and creating more influence is in serving others. The servant-leader wants to serve first. By serving, he can become a leader because his top concern is caring for the needs of others. The people he leads grow as individuals and while being served, become healthier, wiser and more likely to become who they were created to be.

The challenge to my athletes was simple. Ask, "how can I help?" and mean it. How can you help on your team, at school, at home, at work, etc.?

Servant-leadership can only be acquired through humility - the greatest character trait that one can seek.

"But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.
- Luke 22:36 (NLT)