How does a servant leader stay relevant in today's hedonistic world?
Let's be honest. We all want to be relevant. Parents want to remain relevant in their children's lives as they grow. Christians want to remain relevant to a world that needs a savior. Businesspeople want to remain relevant to their customers. And leaders want to remain relevant to those who follow. But in a world that prioritizes temporary pleasures and that praises selfish gains, how does a servant leader remain relevant?
First, we must establish that relevance is like beauty - it is in the eye of the beholder. If my audience doesn't find my message relevant, then I'm no better than the hypocrites in scripture shouting pious prayers to hear themselves talk. (Matt 6:5-7) But if I want to avoid worshipping the sound of my own voice, then I must understand my audience and tailor my speech to their needs.
This entails asking questions, engaging with your audience (i.e., client, customer, employee, executive), not merely listening to them but truly hearing what they are saying, and tailoring your message to their interests. In business, we call this customer engagement. In business development we call this customer intimacy. The difference is that, as servant leaders, we are naturally aligned to hear our audience's true needs and deliver a relevant response. This is your good and faithful service.
Finally, if you struggle to understand your relevance, ask a trusted counselor or mentor. Their perspective can often bridge the chasm between feeling like you're a hamster on a wheel and confident servant leadership.
To my mentors and trusted counselors, thank you. You know who you are.
