Why You Absolutely Must Become Like a Child to Be a Great Leader

7) HUMBLE: Children don’t take themselves too seriously. 

This might be the defining characteristic of children. They have no framework for a hierarchy of popularity or status. Consider this paradox. As James and John argue over who will be the greatest in the kingdom, Jesus pulls children to himself and tells the apostles that children are the example of greatness.

“C’mon, Jesus. Get the children out of here, and let’s have an adult conversation.”

But Jesus wanted the apostles to see that great leaders aren’t controlled by privilege or entitlement. They don’t carry an “I have made it” mentality. They are servants. They use their power to empower others. Jesus has the market cornered on power. Yet he relinquished that power for us (Phil. 2). If you want to impact the world, become powerless and drop your status. Sounds crazy. Just crazy enough that it might work.

8) COURAGEOUS: Children aren’t afraid to act beyond their abilities.

A failure of nerve and an unwillingness to risk distorts God into a bookkeeper. Brennan Manning

Noah and Micah aren’t afraid to try things, even if those things threaten their safety. Children aren’t afraid to explore. They aren’t knowledgeable enough to process potential consequences to risky actions.

And this is why knowledge, if not applied properly, cripples great leadership. Knowledge tends to make us more cautious and logical. But great leaders have the courage and faith in God to look past logic and see what could be.

9) IMAGINATION: Children aren’t bound by reality.  

Imagination is more important than knowledge. Albert Einstein

Imagination is a trademark of children. Their minds aren’t bound by reality. They think they can fly. They pretend to be superheroes. They think they can do all kinds of things they really can’t do.

I often look at children and think, “Those poor children. One day they will understand.” But I believe Jesus looks at me and says, “Poor Frank. Maybe one day he will understand.” The church needs to restore imagination. It is the catalyst for creativity, innovation and passion.

This might sound overly philosophical, but reality is simply an outward expression of what we choose to accept and focus on. If we choose to accept a small God, we will get that God. But if we dare to believe God is actually larger than stars and galaxies, we might see a radical shift in our world.

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To become more childlike is to become more Christlike. As offensive as this sounds to those equipped with immense knowledge and years of experience, Jesus says wisdom doesn’t come from above down … it comes from below up. In other words, wisdom has a hierarchy. But the hierarchy is flipped.

This isn’t modeled by many leaders because American culture doesn’t embrace a childlike worldview. But if the greatest leader in the history of the world is right, the world won’t be changed by running up the traditional  hierarchy in pursuit of power, influence and knowledge. The world will be changed by running down the hierarchy in pursuit of humility, servanthood and naivety.

The first will be last. The greatest will be a servant. The humble will be exalted. And the world will be changed by becoming a child. Sounds ridiculous. Change usually is.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!  

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