Perhaps the most comprehensive research into leadership ever conducted has been undertaken by James Kouzes and Barry Posner and published in the book The Leadership Challenge.

Kouzes and Posner have identified five practices of exemplary leadership. Embedded within these five practices are ten behavioural traits.

The first practice they describe as ‘Model the Way’, which is essentially earning the right and the respect to lead people through direct individual action. One of the two behavioural traits identified within this practice is ‘Set the Example’. Leading means that you have to be a good example, and live what you say. Only then can you persuade people honestly. You might call this ‘leading by example’ or ‘walking the talk’.

With this in mind, Easter gave me the opportunity to think about the leadership of Jesus Christ. Christ consistently set an example for others to follow. In doing so he earned the right and respect to lead millions of people through the centuries since his death on the cross. I personally believe that when Christ said, “I am the Way” he meant that he was an example of what we all could do for ourselves. One of my favourite biblical passages to illustrate this is Mark 11, 27-33 and 20-24:

The next day, as they were coming back from Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He saw in the distance a fig tree covered with leaves, so he went to see if he could find any figs on it. But when he came to it, he found only leaves, because it was not the right time for figs. Jesus said to the fig tree, “No-one shall ever eat figs from you again! And his disciples heard him.

Early next morning, as they walked along the road, they saw the fig tree. It was dead all the way down to its roots. Peter remembered what had happened and said to Jesus, “Look, Teacher, the fig tree you cursed has died!”

“Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. I assure you that whoever tells this hill to get up and throw itself in the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. For this reason I tell you: When you pray and ask for something, believe that you have received it, and you will be given whatever you ask for.”

No doubt you have an opportunity to set an example for the people you lead. Consider it a vital step in the leadership process.