John Sweetman
This post is a continuation of a previous theological reflection on one of John Maxwell’s laws of leadership.
Maxwell's Law #7: The Law of Respect: "People naturally follow leaders stronger than themselves." Summary of
Maxwell’s Principle
Followers are attracted to people who are better leaders than themselves. Usually the greater leadership ability people have, the more quickly they recognise leadership, or its lack, in others. An organisation works best when people follow the strongest leaders. Otherwise good leaders will leave and pursue their own agenda. Maxwell suggests that people who are 9s or 10s in leadership (out of 10) won't follow a 7 unless they have a particular purpose. That's just the way leadership works.
John’s Theological Reflection
Initially this law sounds rather judgmental. It involves rating the “amount of leadership” a person has and comparing ourselves with other leaders. How can we really know whether we are a 5 leader or an 8 leader? Some of us may struggle to accept the concept of levels of leadership. It seems so elitist. Not at all like the servant leadership that Christ commands.
However, in the parable of the talents, we find the master (God) making such an assessment. He weighs up the ability of each servant and gives them an appropriate amount to work with: "To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability" (Matt. 25:15). So God puts in each of us different potentials and abilities to lead. Of course, it's not nearly as straightforward as a basic 1 to 10 rating. There are too many variables in leadership to allow such a simplistic formula. We don't need to label ourselves with a leadership rating. But the concept of different gifts and abilities is fundamental to God’s church (1 Cor. 12) and it also applies to Christian leadership.
There are other principles to consider here. Following does not just depend on leadership ability. For effective Christian leadership, character is vital, as are also humility and a servant heart (see 1 Tim. 3; Matt. 20:25-28). And be careful as a young leader. If you’re presently following someone you think is a less influential leader, don’t write them off. Remember the importance of submitting to authority (Heb 13:7, 1 Thess 5:12-13, 1 Pet 2:13).
But we do need to recognise that some leaders may not follow us, not because they are stubborn or difficult, but because they are stronger leaders than us; and, if everything else about them stacks up spiritually, we actually need to follow them. A leader who cannot recognise and follow a stronger leader will greatly reduce the potential of his or her impact in God's kingdom. This principle is positively exemplified in Barnabas' transition from team leader to team member under Paul's leadership (see Acts 13:7, 13), as Paul's leadership strength emerged on their missionary journey. Barnabas humbly and productively followed a leader stronger than himself.
