Lead Like Jesus: VP Mike Pence Tells American Youths

If you want to make a difference in this complicated world, be different by leading an orderly life, by being an example of humility and orientation, and have a servant’s heart with all of those around you

US Vice President Mike Pence this week spoke to the National Student Leadership Conference at American University in Washington, D.C. During his speech he quoted 1 Timothy 3:1 and talked about the leadership of Jesus.

“First off, remember this,” Mike Pence said. “People follow people they respect. So first and foremost, if you aspire to be a leader, you must aspire to be men and women of character.”

“Secondly, I believe that that character can best be defined for leaders in servant leadership, with the qualities of humility and respect for authority and self-control. I urge you to be servant leaders, driven by a calling to support and to serve others — not by selfish ambition — as the animating force of your career.” 

“You know, the Leader I most try and emulate each and every day said, nearly 2,000 years ago, that he came not to be served but to serve. And I believe that’s the very essence of servant leadership. And there are three qualities in particular that I encourage you to reflect on.”

1. Humility
“The first is humility. It’s often in too scarce a supply in our society today. I mean, the ability to consider others as more important than yourself. For a leader, there’s nothing inconsistent about humility and authority. I mean, the truth of the matter is that some of the most compelling leaders I’ve ever known in my life are people that are focused on others more than themselves, are considerate to others. I truly believe that to reflect humility is to approach leadership every day as a learner and as a listener.” 

2. Orientation to authority
“The second quality of leadership, I believe, in our society today that is most in need isorientation to authority. Recognize and respect those who have been placed above you. Honor them. Learn from them. Follow their example. Give them the honor that they are due. Never that they ask for it, but there’s nothing more meaningful when you enter an organization in the years ahead, and you take a time to demonstrate respect for those who have been placed in authority over you; to listen to them and to defer to them, even while you offer them the broadest range of your counsel and your talents.”

3. Embrace self-control
“And lastly, I encourage you — as you develop these inner qualities, the qualities of being leaders that people respect and will follow, I encourage you to embrace self-control in your life. You know, as the Old Book says, like a city whose walls are broken down is the person who lacks self-control. I mean, whether it’s in our physical lives, whether it’s in our organization each and every day, to practice discipline and to practice self-control is to become the kind of woman and man that people will respect and people will follow.”

“If you want to make a difference in this complicated world, be different by leading an orderly life, by being an example of humility and orientation, and have a servant’s heart with all of those around you.”

“I really do believe if you model these three qualities in increasing measure, your service will be of distinction no matter where your life may lead.”

“And finally, one word of admonition. And that is, if you aspire to lead, you’ll need a healthy dose of courage because leadership brings honor and opposition.”

“Expect criticism. Listen to it. Have the humility to learn from it. And then push through it. That’s the essence of leadership.”

“Have faith in your abilities, have faith in the boundless nature of your dreams. And, lastly, if you’re of a mind, have faith in Him who I believe put these gifts and callings within you,because I believe He’ll open doors of opportunity and blessing in your life that you could never ask or imagine.”

“For again, lastly, as the Old Book says, we got a big Bible verse over the mantle in our home. It’s been there since the first time I ran successfully for office back in 1999. It simply reads words out of the Book of Jeremiah. It says: ‘For I know the plans I have for you — plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.'”

“Today you may be students, tomorrow you will be leaders. And I know that with your help, with your hard work, with your character and with your efforts, and with God’s help, this generation will take this country to heights unimaginable and a boundless American future.”