{"id":5670,"date":"2010-03-24T04:00:27","date_gmt":"2010-03-24T09:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/michaelhyatt.com\/2010\/03\/the-leadership-strategy-of-jesus.html"},"modified":"2010-03-24T04:00:27","modified_gmt":"2010-03-24T09:00:27","slug":"the-leadership-strategy-of-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fullfocus.co\/the-leadership-strategy-of-jesus\/","title":{"rendered":"The Leadership Strategy of Jesus"},"content":{"rendered":"

So much of the activity I see among leaders today is focused on reaching the masses. \u201cSuccessful leaders\u201d speak at big conferences, host popular television or radio shows, publish bestselling books, write successful blogs, or engage in social media.<\/p>\n\n

Simply put, their goal is breadth.<\/em> They want to extend their influence to as many people as possible.<\/p>\n

Nothing wrong with that. But Jesus had a much different leadership strategy. That\u2019s not where he started.<\/p>\n

His goal was not \u201creach\u201d or popularity. In fact, as strange as it sounds today, he actively discouraged publicity.<\/p>\n

On more than one occasion, after performing a jaw-dropping miracle, he told those who witnessed it, \u201cTell no one what you have seen\u201d (see e.g., Matthew 8:4; 16:20; 17:9; Mark 7:36; 8:30; 9:9; Luke 5:14; and 8:56).<\/p>\n

He was a publicist\u2019s nightmare.<\/p>\n

Instead, Jesus focused on true depth<\/em> and long-term impact.<\/em> To achieve this, he had a five-pronged leadership strategy:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. He led himself.<\/strong> This is where all leadership starts. Self-leadership precedes team leadership and public influence. If you can\u2019t lead yourself, you can\u2019t (and shouldn\u2019t) lead others.\n

    This is why Jesus often withdrew to quiet places to pray (see Matthew 14:23; Luke 5:16; 6:12; 22:41\u201344). He battled the devil to prove his character (see Matthew 4:1\u201311). He knew that his character\u2014his identity\u2014was the foundation of his ministry.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. He confided in the three.<\/strong> Jesus had an inner circle comprised of Peter, James, and John. He took them on special outings (see Matthew 17:1). He allowed them to witness his greatest glory (see Mark 9:2\u20133) and his deepest temptations (see Mark 14:33\u201334).\n

    He prayed with them (see Luke 9:28f). He taught them things He did not teach the others (see Matthew 17:2; Mark 5:37\u201343). He even introduced them to His heavenly family (see Matthew 17:3). They were his closest friends and confidants.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    He trained the twelve.<\/strong> He chose the twelve disciples to be \u201cwith him\u201d (see Mark 3:14a) He taught them and also gave them assignments (see Mark 3:14b\u201319). However, he also shared with them his daily life.<\/p>\n

    Like the Apostle Paul would do years later, he poured into them his very life (see 1 Thessalonians 2:8). Because of this, he entrusted them with power<\/em> to do the work he himself had done. In fact, he promised them that they would actually do greater works (see John 14:12\u201314).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    He mobilized the seventy.<\/strong> Jesus had a smaller, more intimate group to whom he gave specific assignments. He sent them out two-by-two. He asked for a BIG commitment. He gave them virtually no resources. Yet he demanded that they perform miracles.<\/p>\n

    He told them to expect opposition (see Luke 10:1\u201312) and promised no earthly reward (see Luke 10:18\u201320).<\/li>\n<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  5. \n

    He taught the multitudes.<\/strong> Yes, Jesus had a public ministry. He occasionally spoke to thousands. However, he didn\u2019t pander to these groups or \u201ctickle their ears.\u201d He confronted the status quo,<\/em> jarred his listeners\u2019 sensibilities, and often taught in parables.<\/p>\n

    Interestingly, he didn\u2019t feel the need to clarify everything. He often left his audience confused and wondering what he meant. His goal was apparently to shift their paradigm and get them to think.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Jesus\u2019 leadership strategy evidently worked well. Within a generation, His followers turned the world upside down (see Acts 17:6).<\/p>\n\t\t