For months I’ve closed my blog posts with the phrase “Be Intentionally Great.” Today I want to drill down on what this really means. If I ask 100 people what it means to be “great,” I’m confident I would hear about 100 different answers.
Dictionary.com gives a few ideas on what “great” is:
- unusually or comparatively large in size or dimensions
- large in number; numerous
- unusual or considerable in degree, power, intensity, etc.
- wonderful; first-rate; very good
- being such in an extreme or notable degree
- notable; remarkable; exceptionally outstanding
- important; highly significant or consequential
As you can tell, defining greatness is difficult. There are many views of what “great” is. I want to share a key principle that has the power to change your life, your family, your workplace, your community, and ultimately our world. My view comes from not only a mentor or friend, but someone whom I call Lord and Savior. I consider Jesus Christ to be THE ultimate leader and model for all humanity. If you are not a person of faith, please hang in there with me for a moment to consider how Jesus defined greatness. Regardless of your faith beliefs, this principle is powerful.
One time Jesus was teaching people about how to live so they could honor God. In the midst of many teaching points in Matthew 23, he simply says “The greatest among you will be your servant.” (v. 11) This was an eyebrow-raising idea in the first century. Think about it. In a culture where class systems were strong and divided, Jesus says that those who are greatest are actually those who serve others. Kings had servants. Political and religious leaders were fighting for positions where they would be served. Society was set up in a way for people to strive for more and more power. And then Jesus flipped it upside down by saying that those who serve are actually the greatest. What?!
Servant leadership has become a buzz concept in the business world over the years. We are hearing more and more leaders talk and write about this. Why? Because serving others rather than expecting others to serve you changes culture!
In a world where people are claiming “greatness” all the time and trying to become “king of the hill,” we need people to become great by serving those around them. Instead of a Mohammed Ali type proclamation of “I am the greatest!” we need servant leaders who put others first and help people achieve more and reach their potential. We need leaders in all sectors of society to look around at their followers and choose to lead them by serving.
Do you want to be truly great? Start serving the people around you. Start by serving your spouse, kids, parents, co-workers, neighbors, and even the strangers that you meet. Les Brown famously states “You have greatness within you!” I agree with him because every one of us can serve others. Greatness isn’t about being #1 and putting ourselves on a platform above others. Rather, it is about helping others shine and succeed. Being great is about helping others reach their potential – to become the best versions of themselves.
Are you still not convinced? Think about this – Who do you love to be around – someone who is always promoting how great they are or someone who helps you feel or become great? I know the answer is easy for me. I want to be around people who lift me up and motivate me to be better. I want to be around people who expose my blind spots and help me grow and achieve more. I want to be around people who have my best interest in mind rather than seeking to force their agenda on me. I bet you do too.
As you move forward in your week and even in your life, my hope for you is that you will truly “Be Intentionally Great” by finding ways to serve those around you. I know you have greatness within you because every one of us can serve the people within our reach. I believe in you. Go out and test this principle out.
Be Intentionally Great today!
