Submission is an Invitation to Leadership?

Why would anyone want to be submissive? When I think of submission, it’s always associated with tyranny or oppression. I can’t think of it without thinking of its antithetical counterparts of oppression, tyranny, overpowering; all very aggressive and negative when compared to the feeble, weak, beaten, oppressed, enslaved, and the indentured nature of being submissive. That dysfunctional submission/oppression axis is just about the only one with which our culture is concerned, or of which we continue to perpetuate.

What is submission’s relationship with leadership? Think about it. Whenever you give in to someone, what does the action enable that person to do? It can be to take over, take advantage of, or take charge. But it can also be to take the lead.

Intentionally giving in paves the way for the other person to step up. If you can identify when a person is ready to take on a particular responsibility, and you step back and support their efforts, aren’t you allowing them to lead and succeed? Don’t you do it in your relationships? Wives, you know all those times when we bite our tongues, because we have learned when to keep our mouths closed? That is a signal that we are identifying moments to give our husbands an invitation to be leaders. Even though we know he may not succeed, he may be lost for hours and never ask directions…but in that moment, we give him the opportunity to lead. This applies to everybody. It is not just husbands and wives. Anybody in a committed relationship; whether it be gay, straight, Christian, non, business, or personal – you will be faced with the choice of stepping back in order to serve or preserve either the relationship or a common goal.

The best performance I ever got out of a team of retail sales people was when I took the role of serving them rather than directing them. We all had a common dollar goal. Rather than telling them what to do, or beat them up when they didn’t hit their numbers, I simply began doing everything I could to support their efforts to sell: restocking shelves, arranging breaks according to traffic flow, keeping their cash drawer full of change, bags and wrapping material stocked, keeping snacks in the office, being a good listener, and then finally giving them all the credit when the goal was achieved. I realized by stepping back and serving them, they would shine. And they did.

When Jesus washed his disciples' feet, they were totally confused and uncomfortable. Here was their teacher, their Rabbi kneeling down and doing the work of a servant. But he knew they had to step up and take the lead. He had to give them a demonstrative of role change. Cleaning the feet of all the disciples was his symbolic way of submitting to their potential leadership. He was passing the baton, as well as showing them how a good leader is actually a great servant.

So, why would anyone want to not only be submissive but look for ways to allow for someone’s leadership? It is beyond powerful. Because it’s wise. Are you tracking?

"Submission is an Invitation to Leadership" is a statement I heard from Andy Stanley. Thank God for blessing him and North Point Community Church for the inspiration and spiritual growth of others. If you ever have the opportunity, go see Andy speak, or podcast (see below right of screen). It's so worth it.