The Servant Leadership Checklist: Lessons from Jesus for Today’s Leaders

Jesus exemplified servant leadership, leading with humility, love, and a focus on others.

Here’s a practical servant leadership checklist inspired by Jesus’ model, which can be adapted for today’s leaders in business, career, and life:

1. Serve Before You Lead

• Do I put the needs of my team/people above personal gain?
• Am I willing to do the tasks I ask others to do?
• Do I lead with humility, not a need for status or recognition?

2. Lead with Vision and Purpose

• Have I clearly communicated a compelling vision to my team?
• Do I help others see how their role contributes to a bigger purpose?
• Am I intentional about aligning my leadership with values and principles?

3. Empower and Equip Others

• Do I mentor, coach, and develop those under my leadership?
• Am I creating opportunities for others to grow and take responsibility?
• Do I delegate effectively instead of micromanaging?

4. Lead with Love and Compassion

• Do I genuinely care about the well-being of my people?
• Do I listen actively and seek to understand before responding?
• Am I creating a culture of trust, respect, and inclusivity?

5. Make Decisions with Integrity

• Do I prioritize ethical decision-making, even when it’s difficult?
• Am I accountable for my actions? Am I transparent in my leadership?
• Do I remain steadfast in my principles despite external pressures?

6. Model Selflessness and Sacrifice

• Am I willing to make sacrifices for the good of my team or organization?
• Do I lead by example, showing commitment and dedication?
• Do I seek to serve rather than be served?

7. Focus on Long-Term Impact

• Am I building leaders, not just followers?
• Do I invest in a legacy that will outlive my leadership?
• Is my leadership making a positive and lasting difference in people’s lives?

By following Jesus’ leadership model, today’s leaders can cultivate;

• high impact.
• purpose-driven, and
• transformational leadership.

A servant leader;

• doesn’t demand respect,
• but earns it

…..by uplifting others and leading with

• humility,
• vision, and
• love.

Always remember that the highest calling of leadership is not authority, but service. True leaders don’t climb to the top, they lift others up with them.