He loved them to the end… Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ~ John 1:1c, 3-4
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t is an insightful book on leadership by Jim Collins.
While primarily written for business organizations it is a work with some principles that have stuck with me over the years in the context of leadership, change and influence in the local church because they powerfully illustrate some personal attributes of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Collins investigates what moves a good company to a great one during a major transition point. He writes, “In essence, we identified companies that made the leap from good results to great results and sustained those results for at least fifteen years…averaging cumulative stock returns 6.9 times the general market in the fifteen years following their transition points.” (p. 3).
Collins suggests that organizational cultures of “disciplined people, disciplined thought and disciplined action” are the over arching realities of companies that grow from good-to-great. Under each of the three categories are two core concepts. I would like to highlight one as it relates to disciplined people.
The first principle he describes is Level 5 Leadership. He writes, “We were surprised, shocked really, to discover the type of leadership required for turning a good company into a great one. Compared to high-profile leaders with big personalities who make headlines and become celebrities, the good-to-great leaders seems to have come from Mars. Self-effacing, quiet, reserved, even shy – these leaders are a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will.” (pp. 12-13).
Jesus Christ models this kind of humility along with his fierce resolve to complete His mission in obedience to the Father. No place illustrates this more than John 13 and Philippians 2. As a result of Christ’s “paradoxical blend of humility and will” the provision of salvation is offered, and eleven disciples’ lives are transformed as they embraced salvation in Christ and in turn transform western civilization even as we know it today.
Personal humility and tenacious resolve infused in our life can promote a powerful value system that transforms and shapes the environment, church and culture God has placed us in.
Remember Christ in you makes THE difference! Practice personal humility and tenacious resolve in the place God has set you and watch Him work in ways beyond your wildest imagination.
~ Dr. Scott