Learning to lead like Jesus is a lifetime journey that begins with humility.

“Better to say I am learning, than to say, I have learned,” were the wise counsel of a revered senior pastor. That pastor helped me understand to first follow the Lord Jesus by continuing to learn and grow. For example, don’t say “I’ve learned to be a patient leader”, rather, “I’m learning to be a patient leader”.

Why? We, as leaders, are desperately in need of God’s grace to carry out our responsibilities.

Learning to lead like Jesus is for leaders who confess that they desperately need the Holy Spirit’s direction, the Father’s wisdom and the Son’s encouragement. Leaders who are learning to first follow Jesus, learn well. Learning to lead is a lifelong education.

We never graduate from Christ’s leadership school, but we do advance as we become wiser students through our own struggles, failures and successes.

Wise leaders are learners, but if they stop learning, they cease to lead wisely. Leaders who learn ask the right questions, get the most accurate answers, and are able to make the wisest decisions.

“How can I get out of the way as the leader, and support the team to be successful?” “How can our organization go from good to great by integrating and sustaining best practices?”

The Lord cannot wait to pour out wisdom on earnest and humble hearts seeking to gain what only He gives.

James, the brother—who experienced first hand Jesus’ wise words and actions— defined wisdom in this way:

“But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile” – James 3:17, AMP

Why not first seek wisdom from the Lord of creation whose majestic exclamation point was humanity?

Wisdom from our Maker makes us more like Him and less like foolish inferior idols. We learn to lead like Jesus by looking to Jesus! Think about it!