What makes a great leader? Throughout history, we have seen many examples of strong leaders, both famous and infamous ones, such as George Washington, Martin Luther, Adolf Hitler, and Joseph Stalin.
Titles mean nothing. What matters is how one serves. Leadership is not confined to those in positions of power or with armies at their disposal. Each of us is a leader in some capacity, whether within our families, communities, or workplaces. As such, understanding how to be a good leader is essential for everyone. This begs the question: What are the qualities of a truly great leader?
Former Prime Minister Winston Churchill once stated, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
When we look into the lives of great leaders, leaders who left a positive mark on the world, we see a key denominator in their leadership—a heart set to serve. A mindset not merely focused on what they can get from others but what they can give to others.
Consider Martin Luther, a powerful leader who changed the trajectory of church history forever. When Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church doors in protest against the Church's sale of indulgences, and it resulted in his trial for heresy before Emperor Charles, his response was moving: “You ask me what I shall do if I am called by the emperor. I will go even if I am too sick to stand on my feet. If Caesar calls me, God calls me. If violence is used, as it may well be, I commend my cause to God. He lives and reigns who saved the three youths from the fiery furnace of the king of Babylon, and if He will not save me, my head is worth nothing compared with Christ. This is no time to think of safety. I must take care that the gospel is not brought into contempt by our fear to confess and seal our teaching with our blood."
Self-sacrificing service like this does not emerge overnight. It is the result of a personal commitment to our life's purpose, remaining steadfast even in the face of challenging consequences.
But what does servant leadership look like in practical, day-to-day situations?
In our organization, we guide our team through a servant leadership course that tackles this very question. The starting point for servant leadership is identifying a purpose that transcends our individual achievements. For instance, Luther's goal of making the Bible accessible to all people was a transcendent one, far beyond his lifetime.
Once we establish this bigger purpose, we can set smaller SMART goals—specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound—moving us closer to the ultimate mission. Along the way, setbacks may arise, but it is our choice to view them as setbacks or setups for success.
George Washington, one of our nation’s most influential servant leaders, demonstrated this fact. During the Revolutionary War, Washington faced a test of his leadership at Valley Forge, when his troops faced harsh winter conditions. Washington famously shared in the hardships with them, sacrificing his own comfort for his soldiers, and thus inspiring their morale through his leadership.
It's easy to feel like a victim when confronted with obstacles, situations like Luther and Washington encountered. But like them, we always have the power to control our actions and attitudes, no matter how out of control the situation may be. By choosing hope and gratitude, we shift from victimhood to victory. This mindset is essential for fully embracing servant leadership. Luther and Washington could have viewed themselves as victims, yet both courageously faced their challenges and changed the world.
Here at Convention of States, we believe that cultivating servant leadership is key to driving lasting change in our nation. It’s not just a practice; servant leadership is at the very heart of our organization.
As you move forward, we encourage you to reflect on your own leadership journey. Embrace the principles of servant leadership, and be the catalyst for positive change in your team, community, and beyond. The world needs leaders who serve with purpose—will you be one of them?
