Leading Like Jesus: Servant Leadership in Every Culture

Leadership looks different around the world. In some cultures, it’s defined by authority and hierarchy. In others, it flows through collaboration and consensus. But for followers of Christ, leadership isn’t primarily about power or personality—it’s about service. Matthew 20:26’s exhortation to us was that “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” 

So what does that even mean?

Jesus flipped the world’s leadership model on its head. Instead of climbing the ladder, He bent low to wash feet. Instead of demanding loyalty, He extended grace. Instead of ruling with force, He led with compassion, sacrifice, and truth.

The Leadership Style of Jesus: A Servant First

Jesus didn’t lead with a title—He led with a towel.

From His first miracle at a wedding in Cana to His final moments on the cross, Jesus led with others in mind. He didn’t climb the social ladder or seek public prestige. Instead, He stooped low to lift others up. His leadership was radically others-centered and utterly countercultural.

Jesus gave voice to the marginalized, like the Samaritan woman at the well—someone both gendered and ethnically excluded in her society. He offered her dignity, truth, and living water.

He protected the vulnerable, like the woman caught in adultery, whom others wanted to shame and stone. Jesus stepped into the tension and responded with grace and justice: “Let the one without sin cast the first stone.”

He confronted injustice, calling out religious hypocrisy, greed, and legalism that burdened people rather than freeing them. But He did so not to tear down, but to restore the heart of God's law—mercy, justice, and faithfulness.

And He empowered ordinary people—fishermen, tax collectors, and outcasts—to carry out an extraordinary mission. He didn’t look for polished résumés or impressive credentials. He looked for open hearts and a willingness to follow.

One of the most powerful expressions of Jesus’ leadership came on the night He was betrayed. The disciples were arguing over who among them was the greatest (Luke 22:24), still struggling to grasp the kind of kingdom Jesus was ushering in. And what did Jesus do? He got up from the meal, wrapped a towel around His waist, and began to wash their feet—including Judas’s. While doing this, He said “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” — John 13:15

In a world where leaders are expected to be served, Jesus served. In a world where power is hoarded, Jesus gave His away. In a world that values influence and visibility, Jesus made Himself nothing (Philippians 2:7).

This is the heartbeat of servant leadership: leadership that begins and ends with love—not control, ego, or performance. It’s a leadership style not confined to culture, age, or title. It transcends all of that because it's rooted in the unchanging character of Christ.

To lead like Jesus is to lay down the need to be first and take up the towel instead.

Crossing Cultures with Servant Leadership

But what does servant leadership actually look like when we’re leading across cultures?

Whether you're mentoring a student from another country, managing a multicultural team at work, or serving in ministry abroad, it’s essential to understand that leadership is experienced differently in every culture.

Cultural values shape everything. It shapes how people interpret authority, what’s considered respectful or disrespectful, how people give and receive feedback. It also shapes the pace and style of decision-making and the role of age, gender, or hierarchy in leadership relationships

For example:
In some cultures, direct communication is seen as clear and honest. In others, it’s considered rude and abrasive. In some cultures, leaders are expected to be decisive and assertive; in others, a good leader shows humility by listening and reaching group consensus.

If we enter a cross-cultural leadership setting using only our own cultural assumptions, even with good intentions, we can miscommunicate our motives, accidentally offend or silence others, and break trust with those we aim to serve. In many cases we even reinforce cultural dominance rather than gospel humility.

This is where servant leadership shines—because it’s not dependent on charisma, credentials, or cultural familiarity. Its foundation is universal: love, humility, sacrifice, and service. But its expression must be flexible. Servant leadership asks, “How can I adapt to serve you well?”—not “How can you adjust to follow me better?”

Servant Leadership Is Culturally Aware

To lead effectively across cultures, Christian leaders must be:

• Culturally curious – asking questions, observing norms, and listening more than speaking

• Self-aware – recognizing how their own culture shapes their instincts and behaviors

• Biblically anchored – able to distinguish between cultural leadership preferences and kingdom leadership principles

• Relationally humble – willing to earn trust over time, not demand it immediately

This approach reflects Jesus, who entered the human experience with deep cultural awareness. Though He was God, He came as a Jewish man in a first-century diverse world, not as a disembodied truth, but in a specific time, language, and culture. And He led from within that space, honoring cultural rhythms while challenging what needed to be redeemed.

The power of servant leadership is that it travels well. Whether in Tokyo or Texas, Nairobi or New York, the core values—humility, love, justice, and service—remain. But the shape those values take must be informed by local understanding.

Servant leadership isn't about fitting people into your mold. It’s about showing them the heart of Jesus in a way that makes sense in their world.

Servant leadership transcends borders because it's not about copying a leadership style—it’s about carrying a spirit. It doesn’t demand cultural uniformity. It honors cultural diversity. It invites leaders of every background to embrace a posture of humility that speaks across language, ethnicity, and social norms.

Whether you’re leading a corporate team in a boardroom, teaching kids in a classroom, parenting at home, or discipling others in your church, you don’t need a platform to lead like Jesus. You need a heart shaped by His.

You might not be called to lead thousands. But you are called to lead someone—with integrity, compassion, and courage. True leadership isn’t about being in charge.  It’s about taking responsibility for the flourishing of others.

And that calling is not confined by geography or culture. Wherever God has placed you—your family, workplace, ministry, classroom, neighborhood, or team—you have the opportunity to reflect Christ through the way you lead. When people experience your leadership, may they feel the presence of Jesus: gentle, just, wise, and kind.

Free Handout/Download for the Week: 5 Ways leaders can apply Jesus’ model with both humility and cultural wisdom.

Let’s End with a Prayer

Jesus, You are the Servant King. Teach us to lead like You—with humility, wisdom, and bold love. Help us to honor others across every cultural boundary, not with pride or pressure, but with your Spirit guiding our steps. Amen.