Our faith impacts how we treat others, both in and outside of the workplace. And as Christian leaders, our ultimate goal should be to emulate Christ.
Christ is the perfect example for us to follow. As Christians, we are called to lead as Christ does, with humility, love, and grace. But we aren’t called to do it alone. If we invite Him into our leadership, we can make a positive difference in our teams and shine Christ’s light, even in secular environments.
But how can we do that?
Here are three biblical characteristics of Christian leaders.
Put others above yourself.
Christ was the ultimate example of what it means to sacrifice ourselves for others. In His sinless life of serving God and healing the sick, and in His brutal death on the cross, He exemplified what it means to love others without reservation.
In John 15:12-13, He tells His disciples, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
As believers, our first priority should be to honor others above ourselves. This doesn’t mean being a doormat, rather, it means putting others’ needs before our own, and choosing to serve others and their best interests, even when it’s hard. It also means setting boundaries and time to rest, just as Jesus took time to go away and pray (Luke 5:16). By continually seeking the best for our teams, even when it’s hard, we’ll set a strong example for them to follow and build stronger relationships with our employees.
Strive for unity.
If anyone had reason to despise others or mistrust them, it was Christ. He was rejected by His own people, reviled by the religious leaders of the day, and eventually deserted by His own closest friends (Matthew 13:54-58; John 11:53; Matthew 26:56). And yet, He continually strove for unity.
In John 17:22-23, Jesus prays for His disciples “that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” And in John 13:35, He says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
As Christians, we are to be marked by our desire for unity and our love for one another. We need to constantly pursue peace with others, even when we disagree with them, and be an example of pursuing each other’s best interests even amidst conflict. We must learn to show love and grace even when we’re angered or wronged by others, and seek reconciliation whenever possible. By doing so, we’ll show Christ’s love and set ourselves apart as His followers.
Speak the truth in love.
Loving others as Christ does does not mean we don’t speak up when it’s difficult or don’t bring correction when it’s needed. But it does mean we need to do so with the right heart.
In the New Testament, Jesus continually brings correction and speaks truth to those in sin. However, He always does so in a way that brings healing and reconciliation, not condemnation or shame. Even when He was brought the woman caught in adultery, when He had every right to condemn her, He didn’t (John 8:1-11). But he did call her to change, telling her to “Go now and leave your life of sin” (verse 11).
It’s important that we bring correction and speak the truth. However, as Christians, we must follow Christ’s example and do so with kindness and a heart to bring reconciliation. We need to avoid being combative or accusatory, even when we’re challenged or spoken of wrongly. And instead, we need to be intentional about addressing the problem and looking for a way forward, together. By doing so, we’ll strengthen our teams and build trust, so we can weather any situation.
Trying to lead like Christ doesn’t mean we will always get it right. We will all fall short, and need to seek forgiveness from those around us. But we can have confidence, knowing that if we ask Christ for wisdom and grace in our leadership, He will guide and direct us, and He will be there to pick us up when we fall.