February 13, 2023

In the early 2000s, Gregg Gregory boarded a Southwest flight that was leaving Orlando, Florida. As he stood in the boarding line on the tramway, he saw an older man further up ahead of him with a giant Mickey Mouse hat on. He didn’t think much about it, it was Orlando after all. But while Gregg was picking out his seat, he was puzzled because the man with the hat went all the way to the back row and chose the middle seat. He could’ve have chosen a much better seat, but weirdly he picked the least desirable seat on the entire plane.

The plane took off and then the strange man with the hat walked to the front of the plane and started assisting the flight attendants. He walked the aisle smiling, shaking people’s hands, and saying, “Hello! My name is Herb Kelleher. Thank you for flying my airline. Can I get you something to drink?”

Herb Kelleher was the CEO of Southwest Airlines. He was greatly loved by his employees, respected by his competition, and revolutionized air travel around the world. Herb lived his life by the philosophy of “servant leadership.” He knew and understood that no matter how big or successful leaders become, they still serve others. They go first and humbly lead by example.

A lot of people feel that servant leadership is a leadership style where everyone sits around a campfire, singing songs, holding hands, and getting nothing done. They feel there is no accountability and as a result it is ineffective. Research tells us this is not the case.

The University of Illinois at Chicago discovered that when managers create a culture where workers know the boss puts employees’ needs over his or her own, there are measurable improvements in various areas of a business.

Look what Jesus said about servant leadership in Mark 10:41-45 in the Message paraphrase:

" When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.”

We have a power phrase here at the church, “Service, not Serve Us!” We understand that servant leadership is a better way to lead and we want it to become part of our default thinking as a team. We say it, we post it, and we display it. We understand that our success is powered by the success of others. When we help enough people get what they want and see their own dreams come to pass, the vision God gave us as an organization will come to pass.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."
— Winston S. Churchill

“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else."
― Booker T. Washington

Recommended Book:

Simple Truths of Leadership by Ken Blanchard

If this Leadership Lifter has been a blessing to you, please share with someone else.

God is for you!
Pastor Blunt

COTR Marketplace Ministries is a ministry for those in the marketplace and those interested in starting a business. Lifelong learners, entrepreneurs, businessmen, and businesswomen, meet to grow in their leadership and skills. This is a great place to network, build relationships and exchange ideas!

Join us on February 25, 2023 at 5pm in the main campus lobby. We will have guest speaker, Michael Franzese, son of notorious Underboss of New York's violent and feared Colombo crime family. Michael's journey from the mob to prison to a brave new life, is a story that will inspire and bring hope and with a powerful lesson: No one is so bad that they can't be forgiven—life can begin again!

Dinner and childcare are included in the price of your ticket. Purchase your tickets online for just $12 or $15 at the door.