Servant leadership is about thinking first and foremost about the well being of others as opposed to ones self. Getting intentional about adding value to others, and building self-esteem is an important attribute of a servant leader.

I was blessed last week with the opportunity to have dinner with Walt Wiley, the President / Founder of Winning with Encouragement. Walt is a Biblicist who uses scripture to support the importance of encouragement. I also attended a seminar he gave in Alexandria on Encouragement. I love the fact that Walt saw encouragement as so important that he formed a company that is totally focused on encouraging people in their walk with God.

Walt defines encouragement as the act of stepping into the lives of people and telling them what they need to hear. People who are lifting the world upward and onward are those who are encouraging more than criticizing. In Hebrews 10:24 it says “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

In his seminar, Walt outlined four ways that people are intentional about providing encouragement and adding value to others.

  • You encourage by what you GIVE.

You can encourage others by taking something that you have and giving to someone.

  • You encourage by what you SAY.

Be intentional about encouraging others with your communications with them. Proverbs 16:24 says “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

  • You encourage by what you DO.

People who encourage are willing, they are inconvenienced, they are present when needed, and they are positive.

  • You encourage by how you choose to LIVE YOUR LIFE.

Positive behavior in all situations is very encouraging to people.

By being intentional about encouraging others, you will lift them up by building their self-esteem. This will then set up a powerful cycle of personal growth, willingness to take risks, persistence, and enable a person to achieve their God-given potential.

Who knows if perhaps you were put into your situation for such a time as this? Think about capitalizing on your respective situations and be an encourager for those around you. After all, as servant leaders, encouragement should be on the top of our job description. 

Have an encouraging week!

Mark Deterding