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Identifying Common Challenges Faced by Servant Leaders
We enter into this world, crying out to be served. As babies and young children, our needs are dependent upon others. Servant Leadership style differs. Yes, Servant Leadership is not easy because it is not about your being “first.” You are not the one to be served; rather, you are the first to serve others. Servant leadership is a change of the heart.
As a matter in fact, this type of leadership has to be an intentional mission (goal) for the vision given. Above all, servant leadership is a personal calling; yielding; it is not a placement position. That is the first challenge to face as a servant leader – accepting a calling greater than self.
Another challenge that faces the servant leader is the “repositioning of self” for the calling. Repositioning self is a mental, physical, and spiritual position to conquer authorized territory. The servant leader is a foreigner in strange territory. Yet, one has the calling and authority to walk in and take the territory. It is spiritual warfare.
Moreover, do not expect others to understand this calling. Because it is given to the servant leader, opposition persists. Wisdom and discernment come through prayer, meditation, and fasting. Even when the servant of God conquers the territory, one must maintain it for the benefit of others that you serve.
Practical Solutions for Overcoming Leadership Challenges
Examples of common challenges in serving others first and repositioning of self comes from external and internal pressures. Three common ones are:
- Communication issues
- Lack of natural resources
- Untrained people
Communication
Good communication is a strategy. It is a learning process, and experience is a good teacher. From experiences, I share with you:
- Be willing to develop good listening skills. More listening, less talking to people.
- Be observant of your surroundings. Who are the communicators in your surrounding? Are these the key people who others listen to most often and not you?
- Body language is a great communicator. Eyes, movement, twitches, hands, etc. Be mindful of its value in communicating, especially in different environments.
- Be sensitive to others’ personal space and respect it.
- Ensure that the physical environment differentiate as resting spaces and working spaces. This is a great way to serve others for areas of rebounding and re-energizing. The environment communicates to outsiders as well. It speaks to what you value the most.
Lack of natural resources
For the servant leader, the “Complaint Department” does not exist. The servant leader turns that department to a place of Transformative Operations. Therefore, the highly skilled servant sees a lack of resources as opportunities to transform lack to abundance. How?
- Identify partnerships for the season of now for the immediate purpose
- Build trustful relationships for ongoing supply chains
- Assess the physical layout. Who are the custodians of the physical infrastructure? Usually, they are the ones who have certain keys for your access into specific areas. Treat them with the respect they deserve. They are the true operations managers.
Untrained people
Just because people lack training, this does not mean that they are not useful. This is an opportunity to help members acquire the skills. People have a skill set from life. So:
- Identify current skills and experiences
- Commit to conversations to build and improve members’ skill level
- Identify ongoing training needs
- Incorporate a reward system that validates members’ successes and value to the team
The Role of Faith in Navigating Leadership Obstacles
Reflectively, I view reposition of self as a constant walk of faith in Christ. For we are not here is to be the first served; rather, we are the first to serve others.
Evaluating Your Growth and Progress as a Servant Leader
Moreover, the scripture reminds us that only what we do for Christ will last (1 Corinthians 3:12-14). In the natural world, we often create instruments for the purpose of measuring growth. Such is the purpose of pre and post assessments in goal setting.
Spiritually, we know that only God’s measurement that will stand. However, our hearts are a reflection of who we are. It is because of our human condition that God gives to us mercy. It is the law that establishes a “stick” of measure. Without the law, how would we know that a violation occurred? The laws of God exist for giving us knowledge about the commandments of God.
Internally, when we accept Christ, the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) comes to teach and guide. Paul said a war occurs. The human spirit wants what is contrary to the Holy Spirit. With compassion and love, God renders to us his favor. Outwardly, is what we now produce – a leadership as His servant and friend.
Progress
The list below are examples from the Scriptures. These are growth areas in which you function, for the Holy Spirit is your teacher. You:
- Operate in the commandment of love (Luke 6:27; Matthew 5:38-48). In other words, you are learning to treat others the way you want others to treat you.
- Willingly keep watch as a shepherd (1 Peter 5:2-3).
- Are able to readily answer questions about hope (1 Peter 13-16)
- Are to stay strong in faith; do what brings honor to God (1 Peter 11)
- Stay away from idols (1 John 5:21)
- Keep building (Jude, verse 20)
God gives the increase of the affairs concerning us because of the desire to please Him. This is why we will overcome challenges as servants of God.
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