Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.
Influence doesn’t try to get a following, but people naturally follow a leader who quietly, consistently, and effectively shows up for them.
Jesus saw the needs of people and was moved by compassion to relieve their distress. Peter said He simply went around doing good (Acts 10:38). He gave value to the overlooked, He touched the so-called untouchable, He embraced the rejected.
Jesus said, “I didn’t come to be served but to serve and to give My life away” (Mark 10:45).
This commentary from the folks at He Gets Us is spot-on:
So often our idea of leadership is about asserting dominance and wielding authority; Jesus on the other hand revealed a radically different approach to greatness.
Jesus chose a path that seemed almost counterintuitive, especially to many of those around Him. He showed that true influence doesn’t come from throwing your weight around or flexing your authority—it comes from genuine empathy, authentic care, and intentionally seeing people and going toward them.
Instead of building a platform or demanding attention, Jesus moved quietly through communities, transforming lives through genuine relationships.
He didn’t network with the powerful or chase prestigious connections.
He sat with the overlooked.
He listened to the ignored.
He gave dignity to those society had dismissed.
Jesus’ approach to influence and greatness wasn’t about commanding rooms or dominating conversations—it was about creating spaces where others felt seen, heard, and valued, demonstrating great love in those moments.
When He had opportunities to grasp power, He chose instead to empower others.
His visible leadership wasn’t built on titles or positions, but on authentic relationships He cultivated and the lives He transformed through His genuine care and concern. (‘What is Greatness?’)
True influence loves and serves others like Jesus does. Don’t try to grab the top spot, but grab a towel and serve others.
I would also humbly recommend that you check out my book Shepherd Leadership, where I explore the leadership of Jesus in greater depth.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎






Links & Quotes
February 17, 2024 — Craig T. OwensUnforgiveness keeps our eyes on our offenders and off our God. Free yourself by forgiving those who have hurt you. You can check out this full sermon here. I have lots of new content every week, which you can check out on my YouTube channel.
“At the moment of truth, there are either reasons or results.” —Chuck Yeager
As I have shared before, I am so impressed with the He Gets Us social media campaign! Some people are still trying to figure out exactly what this campaign is. Sean McDowell and his podcast partner Scott Ray had a great conversation with Ed Stetzer about this. Check out the video!
Some people have been critical of the He Gets Us commercials that aired during the Super Bowl, but I thought they were outstanding! This is a social media outreach designed and funded by some of the most biblically-grounded, evangelistically-minded people I know. It is a social media campaign. It is not designed as a sermon (which is why there are no Bible verses shown in the commercial). The idea is to get past the barriers and misconceptions skeptics have come to believe about Jesus, and then be enticed to go to the hegetsus.com website. It is at this site that the Gospel message is introduced and visitors are given Bible verses and other materials to go deeper.
“The important thing is to learn a lesson every time you lose.” —John McEnroe
Share this: