Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Mark 9:35 (NIV)

God's standard for leadership is not charisma. It is not eloquence. It is not assertiveness. In fact, God's standard may be considered by some to be just the opposite -- servanthood.

Servants do the work that others don't want to do. They give of themselves to the benefit of those they serve.

Servant leaders earn the trust of their teams. They do this by playing a supporting role, by coaching them to develop their skills, by giving them the good assignments. Servant leaders don't seek the limelight, but they put others in the limelight.

Servant leaders run some of the most successful companies in the world. They lead the largest churches. They endear the support of their followers. Not because they seek to be first, but because they seek to serve.

Want to be a leader? Are you prepared to be a servant?