Leadership Through Love - Chapter 2 "Use the Tools, Not the Staff" by Steve Martin

The following are a few paragraphs taken from Chapter 2.

Use the

Tools, Not the Staff

The Lord Jesus Himself gave us valuable lessons, while He led His band of men and women on earthly team, which has proven itself to be most applicable in my leading of business and ministry staffs. These very effective truths in administrating were spoken by Him, when He said to His small band, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)

These were two of my key attitudes I took early on in my management positions, as I learned how to be a “manager of the people”, as one other executive team member put it, during one of my years with Derek Prince Ministries (1987-1990 and 2001-2005).

Not wanting to be one who “lords it over others”, demanding my own way and using the “staff rather the tools”, I took the posture of treating the staff who served with me as I desired my boss to treat me - honoring them as I wanted to be recognized and honored, and uplifting them as I often needed, but rarely received, in some cases. As I sought to encourage each one in my care, even as a pastor does his flock, I found that the love grew between them and I. When those bonds were established, staff readily would give beyond the call of duty and pay, as they knew my heart was not just for the job to be done, but for them in helping me get it done.

Not only did we labor together for the cause of the Lord in the ministry, with me as the recognized leader and their boss, but we became friends for the long haul. I still treasure and continue to keep relationships with those who were in the same office setting with me, or on the church volunteer teams, as fellow servants. Taking a heart position of being their servant, and not one seeking to be served, created and maintained unique, precious, and long term relationships. 

Steve Martin

Author

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