“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.’”                                    Mark 10:42-44 (NIV)

Long before I gained a position of leadership, I was fortunate to be exposed to and work with a variety of people who I consider great leaders. They were successful in good times and bad. People were eager to be on their teams and follow their visions.

As I matured and began to seek positions of leadership within the church and in the work place, I tried to emulate the mannerisms of those successful leaders I had observed over the years. I learned rather quickly that I could not be what they had been. I could not be those people – a replica of someone I admired. I had to grow into my own person and become comfortable with myself in all the roles I play in my life. 

I have also worked in a business where it was dog eat dog to get ahead, a world where finding success meant stepping on others to move past them up the ladder. I have worked for people and in organizations where the leader ruled over the workers and made decisions just to flex their authoritarian muscles as a way to prove power over others. Some people will tell you the secret of success is gaining position, money, or status regardless of the sacrifice or the cost to those around you. You may be told to look out for yourself first, always. If you believe that now, one day you will wake up (probably all alone) and realize that those people were wrong.

After reading the passage in Mark of Jesus talking with the disciples, I realized there is a common thread in all of the great, successful leaders I have worked with and those I have read about: They all put others first.

When you stop focusing on your own advancement and promotion, you will start to experience greatness. This is difficult in our society which often promotes self first, others last. But it is true. 

Start focusing on others. Put their needs and wants before your own and then you will find success in your own life.

Rising above and being successful has little to do with ordering others around and everything to do with what you invest in those around you. This applies at home as well as the work place.

Success is not found in a title, the size of your office, or the size of your wallet. It is your reward for living as Jesus taught you to live. 

So, now you know. The true secret of success is another S word: Selflessness.

So stop stepping on others to climb the ladder of success and instead build a staircase for others. Follow Christ’s example – set out to serve, giving your life and yourself for others.

What can you change today to be great, to start living like Jesus? What can you do to start serving others and “become a slave to all?”

Choose just one thing. Maybe for you that one thing can be listening to others instead of talking about yourself or standing in the back while others stand in the spotlight or taking action to physically serve by doing a task for someone else unexpectedly. You choose – just one thing.

Start with one thing to make a change that will lead to a successful life focused on service instead of self.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”      Mark 10:45