Have you ever encountered leaders who fail to serve others? I’m not talking about the person who occasionally puts themselves before others; I think we all fall into that trap occasionally.
No, I’m talking about leaders who are so focused on themselves that the need or purpose of serving others doesn’t even cross their minds. These self-serving leaders are characterized by pride, arrogance, and a willingness to exploit others to meet their needs.
During my entire career, I had to deal with this kind of self-serving leader on just three occasions. I found their leadership to be so caustic I couldn’t wait to get away from them.
Looking back on the experience, I have concluded there are three primary reasons certain kinds of leaders fail to serve others. First, they do not have a relationship with God. Second, they see themselves as all-powerful, almost god-like themselves. And third, they are self-serving, focused only on themselves and their needs.
1) They Do Not Love God
I found leaders who fail to serve others do not have a loving relationship with God. Leaders who do not love God have a hard time loving His children. God’s love and the love of His children are interconnected; it is hard to love one without the other.
2) They See Themselves as God-like
Leaders who fail to serve others are prideful and arrogant to the extent they see themselves as God-like; everyone is less smart, less capable, and inferior to them.
3) They Are Self-Serving
Because they do not have a relationship with God and see themselves as God-like, leaders who fail to serve others typically rely only on themselves. They have no faith that God will meet their needs. They do not trust inferior co-workers. So, they become self-serving, willing to exploit others to meet their needs.
Leaders who exhibit these three traits are the exact opposite of what God desires in a leader. God looks for leaders willing to serve others. God judges leaders who fail to serve others, and He does so harshly.
Let’s examine the leadership of two Old Testament examples, Shebna and Jehoiakim. Both were leaders who failed to serve others and were judged by God.
Shebna’s Misplaced Priorities
Shebna had an incredibly important job as King Hezekiah’s palace administrator. His role was the equivalent of a modern-day prime minister.
During Hezekiah’s reign, the mighty Assyrian empire was preparing to attack Jerusalem. As the people of Jerusalem busied themselves, strengthening the city’s defenses, Shebna was miles away, building himself a fancy tomb in the Kidron Valley.
While he should have been thinking about helping the people of Jerusalem defend themselves from a foreign invader, Shebna was thinking only of himself and his fancy burial place.
God was so angry at Shebna’s dereliction of duty that God removed Shebna from his role as palace administrator and had him sent to a distant country where he subsequently died in disgrace (Isaiah 22:14-19).
Jehoiakim’s Selfishness
Jehoiakim was appointed King of Judah by Pharaoh Neco. Not only was Jehoiakim morally corrupt, but he also rejected the worship of God. Instead, he reinstituted the worship of pagan idols.
Jehoiakim cruelly oppressed the people of Judah, demanding tribute so he could maintain his opulent lifestyle. He selfishly renovated his palace while the country was falling apart. He even refused to pay the palace workers for their help.
His selfishness brought an end to the Davidic dynasty.
Through the prophet Jeremiah, God announced his judgment against Jehoiakim. God declared no one would mourn Jehoiakim, that he would have the burial of a donkey, with his body thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 22:18-19).
Pride, Arrogance, and Selfishness
Pride, arrogance, and selfishness are a devastating combination in a leader. These are traits of leaders who focus on themselves to the point they fail to serve others.
As we learn from the examples of Shebna and Jehoiakim, God has lofty standards for leaders. God expects leaders to care about the people they are responsible for, and He will hold leaders accountable for their leadership.
Leadership is a solemn responsibility, and one we need to take seriously!
More Articles
I have written several articles on servant leadership. You can find them by typing “Servant Leadership” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are four of my favorites.
- #374: Is Serving What We Are Called to Do?
- #309: Do You Know This Servant-Hearted Seamstress Who Caused A Revival?
- #147: Is Being a Servant Leader Really a Good Thing?
- #118: Whatever You Did for the Least of these Employees, You Did for Me
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Have you worked with leaders who failed to serve others? What impact did their leadership have on the organization?
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Category: Relationships | Servant Leadership
I worked with a few Shebnas in my life. They think they’re fooling others, but people can spot egocentrism a mile away. Sooner or later most of these power hungry types fail.
I bet you did work with a few Shebnas! My wish is that they would fail a lot faster and get out of the way of people who really want to make a positive difference!
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