14 Ducere Est Servire: THE LEADERSHIP JOURNAL OF DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY vidual to assume a leadership position. Those leaders who first fulfill their role as servants are concerned about the care, growth, and overall improvement of those they lead.25 Gene Wilkes develops this as well in his work Jesus on Leadership. Wilkes suggests leaders can grow as servants as they humble themselves before the Lord. This calls for the leader to trust the Lord with His timing to exalt or promote the leader. Furthermore, leaders can emulate a servant-leader mindset by sharing responsibility and authority with others. This act can culminate in building a team as the leader empowers others to action.26 Leaders who boast about their weakness by serving others enjoy the benefit of a heart that is submissive to God. These leaders are not viewed by their peers or subordinates as a threat or someone with whom to compete. Instead, they are perceived as a source of encouragement, care, and support. The servant leader’s actions can help cultivate a greater sense of community and respect within the organization, which, in turn, develops an overall healthy work environment. Conclusion Scripture and various leadership authors make it clear that leaders need to make attempts to boast about their weaknesses as leaders. This style of leadership carries with it numerous benefits that can increase the overall effectiveness of the leader. However, the question remains: Is this a model that can indeed be implemented in the lives of leaders regardless of their vocation? The amount of leadership literature that alludes to elements of boasting in one’s weakness indicates that this mindset can be incorporated into the life of a leader regardless of their leadership setting. Moreover, Richard and Henry Blackaby argue that spiritual leaders are not limited to influencing God’s people. The authors state that spiritual leaders can benefit people in ministry and secular environments. The authors also note that God is at work in the lives of people in the local company and church.27 Therefore, the biblical concept of boasting in weakness as a leader can be incorporated into secular leadership. Robert Greenleaf supports this in his effort to recommend the concept of servant leadership to diverse fields such as business, education, and ministry.28
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