Can Christ-Followers be Top Decile Leaders?
Many leaders have come to believe they must be ruthless, power mongers to be successful leaders. Not so, many Christ-followers have achieved top-tier results and leadership.
For leaders operating in an increasingly complex and often turbulent world, integrating faith and leadership offers a profound and transformative advantage. A sincere commitment to following Christ provides a unique set of benefits. In light of leadership attributes, these benefits shape a leader's character, inform their decisions, and amplify their impact.
Yet, in our work world, we experience a “Sunday to Monday Gap” in our thinking. Biblical truths are studied and received on Sunday, but are not considered relevant on Monday morning when returning to work. The Bible, although viewed as a source of truth, is not incorporated into leadership practices, due to the normalization of misinformation about what leaders must do to be successful in the eyes of senior executives, board members, and investors.
Work cultures often border on exploiting employees for the benefit of executive compensation, power, and territorial expansion.
Since the late 1980s, growth in shareholder value has become the primary organizational goal for many organizations.
This focus on short-term returns suboptimizes employee well-being, thereby contributing to the rapid acceleration of burnout, mental health issues, and employee disengagement.
However, contrary to prevailing opinions and practices, the Bible remains relevant to all of life, including leadership, organizational culture, and meaningful work.
Here are five ways that Christ-followers can lead with top decile results:
1. Cultivation of Virtuous Character
At the heart of Christian theology lies the concept of spiritual transformation (sanctification), which leads to the embodiment of virtues essential for effective and ethical leadership. The Holy Spirit progressively shapes a Christ-follower to exhibit qualities like humility, integrity, and self-control. These are not merely desirable traits but foundational for strategic influence.
Humility: Jesus himself taught, "Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:26-28). This calls leaders away from self-exaltation towards a posture of lowliness and service.
Integrity: The Old Testament frequently extols the virtues of integrity. "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them" (Proverbs 11:3). For a Christ-following leader, integrity stems from an honest heart and a commitment to truth, even when difficult.
Self-Control: The Apostle Paul lists "self-control" as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Self-controlled leaders can manage their emotions, resist temptations, and make measured decisions, rather than being swayed by impulses or external pressures.
Character formation is not merely a matter of moralistic adherence, but a spiritual regeneration that reorients a leader's desires and motivations toward what is good, trustworthy, and honorable in God's eyes.
Reflection: Which of the three characteristics is lacking in your leadership approach, and how can you improve? How are you practicing self-exaltation (pride)?
2. Development of a Servant-Hearted Leadership Model
The concept of servant leadership, widely recognized in contemporary management, finds its ultimate and clearest theological grounding in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus' life illustrated the principle of leading by serving.
Jesus' Example: Beyond Matthew 20:26-28, Jesus demonstrated this principle when he washed his disciples' feet, saying, "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you" (John 13:14-15). This radical act redefined leadership, positioning it as a humble service to others.
Prioritizing Others: The Apostle Paul echoed this sentiment: "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4). For Christ-following leaders, this means genuinely prioritizing the well-being, growth, and empowerment of those they lead, fostering loyalty and stronger collective outcomes.
Reflection: What would constitute a demonstration of “feet washing” in your current leadership role? How have you deprioritized others on your team?
3. Access to Divine Wisdom and Discernment
In a world filled with complex challenges and ambiguous choices, Christ-following leaders have access to an unworldly source of wisdom and discernment that surpasses human understanding.
Seeking God's Wisdom: The book of James provides a direct invitation: "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). This encourages leaders to seek divine guidance in their decision-making humbly.
Trusting God's Direction: Proverbs also guides leaders: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6). This does not negate the need for strategic thinking or analytical skills but complements them with a spiritual dimension that can illuminate blind spots, guide ethical choices, and provide deeper insights.
Solomon's Example: King Solomon's request for wisdom, rather than riches or power, is a classic biblical example (1 Kings 3:9-12), demonstrating God's readiness to grant discernment to those who seek it to lead His people.
Reflection: Where does your wisdom come from for leadership decisions? How does that source suboptimize your dependence on God’s wisdom? Describe a recent time when you trusted God’s direction in your work.
4. Resilience and Hope Rooted in God’s Plan and Purpose
Leadership can be a demanding and often isolating journey, marked by setbacks and disappointments. The Christ-following leader finds resilience and hope in their spiritual purpose and faith in God's sovereignty.
God's Presence in Adversity: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10). This promise provides comfort and courage, reminding leaders they are not alone.
Strength in Weakness: Paul wrote, "But He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me" (2 Corinthians 12:9). This perspective allows leaders to find strength even in their limitations and to trust God's enabling power.
Perseverance and Hope: "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary" (Galatians 6:9). The belief in God's ultimate plan and eternal perspective provides a bedrock of hope that enables leaders to persevere through adversity, learn from failures, and maintain purpose despite immense pressure. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Reflection: What is your typical response to adversity? How can depending on God to eliminate fear (not the reason to fear) change your current perspective on leadership challenges?
5. Ethical Framework and Divine Accountability
Being a Christ-follower provides an unwavering ethical framework and a sense of accountability that extends beyond our present-day norms.
Ultimate Accountability to God: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2 Corinthians 5:10). This understanding instills a deep sense of responsibility, knowing that one's leadership actions are ultimately answerable to God.
Leading Justly: The Old Testament frequently emphasizes justice and righteousness in leadership: "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8).
Leading by Example: Leaders are called to be examples to their flock: "Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:2-3). This fosters integrity and trustworthiness within the leader's sphere of influence.
Reflection: Knowing that your leadership actions are held in judgment by God, what would you like to change about how you lead? How are you currently leading unjustly, and how will you change?
The benefits of being a Christ-follower for leaders are transformative and far-reaching. By anchoring their leadership in Christ, individuals can cultivate virtuous character, adopt a servant-hearted approach, access divine wisdom, find enduring hope and resilience, and operate within an ethical framework with a sense of divine accountability. These insights suggest that such leadership not only yields greater effectiveness and positive impact but also contributes to the flourishing of individuals, organizations, and society as a whole.