The Epitome: Leadership Lessons Inspired by Jesus

By Vinnie Venturella

Jesus is the epitome of what leadership is all about. Amongst other things, Jesus defines service, love, empathy, humility, doing the right thing, being THE example, being a person of character, and being people and mission focused. He is the Perfect Model of leadership and one we should all aspire to emulate.
I realize no one can measure up to the perfectness of Jesus or do the supernatural things He did but please take these lessons at face value. Through Jesus’ day-to-day actions and supernatural behaviors there are terrific leadership gems we can all learn from.
I love the study of leadership, have been doing it for almost 34 years, and expect to do it my whole life. Leadership fascinates me and the more I study it the more I validate how critical it is to teams, organizations, our nation, and our church.
My life’s purpose is to Positively Influence Lives. This is done primarily through leadership. My measure of success with this project is expose readers to God’s Word, expose readers to some leadership lessons, and enable readers to build upon their leadership knowledge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9781728356877

Vinnie Venturella

This is Vinnie’s seventeenth book. Vinnie and his wife Tammie have two daughters, Meaghan and Sophia. They live in Texas. Vinnie was born in Pittsburgh, PA. His Mom Joyce and Dad Frank were a big influence on him, and he has a twin brother, Frank and younger sister, Jill. He graduated Woodsville High School in NH. He has a Bachelor’s in Accounting from Campbell University, NC; and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. Vinnie retired as a Chief Master Sergeant from the Air Force after 21+ years as a Combat Controller in Air Force Special Operations. Vinnie works in the Personal Finance industry. He has a passion for reading, writing, and physical fitness.

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© 2020 Vinnie Venturella. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse   03/19/2020

ISBN: 978-1-7283-5688-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-5687-7 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

DEDICATION PAGE

This book is dedicated to my beautiful wife Tammie. She is the epitome

of an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She has by

far been the most influential person on my growth as a Christian.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I want to acknowledge all the men and women leaders that I’ve directly or indirectly worked for or with up to this point in my career. I have emulated the good in all of you and appreciate you taking on the mantel of leadership. Leadership is a privilege and an honor and comes with great responsibility. Like all of you, I have treated that with the seriousness and significance it deserves.

CONTENTS

Dedication page

Acknowledgments

Some Notes and Explanations

Introduction

1.           Leaders are not self-promoters

Matthew 3:14

2.           Leaders are called

Matthew 3:17

3.           Leaders call followers

Matthew 4:19

4.           Leaders should be strategic with initial teammates

Matthew 4:21

5.           Leaders are not verbose

Matthew 5:37

6.           Leaders give privately

Matthew 6:2

7.           Leaders treasure what’s real

Matthew 6:21

8.           Leaders are not hypocrites

Matthew 7:3

9.           Leaders ascribe to the Golden Rule

Matthew 7:12

10.         Leaders are known by their fruit

Matthew 7:20

11.         Leaders build on a strong foundation

Matthew 7:25

12.         Leaders are great communicators

Matthew 7:28

13.         Leaders teach with authority

Matthew 7:29

14.         Leaders pick their spots

Matthew 8:4

15.         Leaders are decisive

Matthew 9:19

16.         Leaders serve crowds

Matthew 9:35

17.         Leaders delegate

Matthew 10:1

18.         Leaders understand the power of rewards

Matthew 10:42

19.         Leaders are encouragers

Matthew 11:28

20.         Leaders create unity

Matthew 12:25

21.         Leaders know words matter

Matthew 12:37

22.         Leaders sometimes need quiet time

Matthew 14:13

23.         Leaders lead despite loss

Matthew 14:14

24.         Leaders are prayerful

Matthew 14:23

25.         Leaders give stretch goals

Matthew 14:29

26.         Leaders correct misinformation

Matthew 15:3

27.         Leaders admonish when necessary

Matthew 15:16

28.         Leaders understand their resources

Matthew 15:34

29.         Leaders express confidence in their followers

Matthew 16:18

30.         Leaders explain how the vision can be achieved

Matthew 16:21

31.         Leaders deliver tough love

Matthew 16:23

32.         Leaders must inspire

Matthew 16:24

33.         Leaders offer a transformational message

Matthew 16:27

34.         Leaders trust an inner circle

Matthew 17:1

35.         Leaders appropriately control the message

Matthew 17:9

36.         Leaders know when to say no

Matthew 18:8

37.         Leaders know people matter

Matthew 18:13

38.         Leaders continue to challenge

Matthew 20:22

39.         Leaders encourage right-placed ambition

Matthew 20:26

40.         Leaders are great servants

Matthew 20:28

41.         Leaders have followers

Matthew 20:29

42.         Leaders have compassion

Matthew 20:34

43.         Leaders are always ready

Matthew 24:46

44.         Leaders prepare for the unexpected

Matthew 25:4

45.         Leaders reward excellent performance

Matthew 25:21

46.         Leaders’ impact can be deep and wide

Matthew 25:40

47.         Leaders need to know people’s motivations are different

Matthew 26:15

48.         Leaders seek alternatives

Matthew 26:39

49.         Leaders commission other leaders

Matthew 28:19

50.         Leaders provide a shared mission

Matthew 28:20

51.         Leaders cast a vision

Mark 1:15

52.         Leaders are good followers

Mark 1:17

53.         Leaders take care of the needs of others

Mark 1:31

54.         Leaders need time for introspection

Mark 1:35

55.         Leaders live a balanced life

Mark 1:38

56.         Leaders do the right thing

Mark 1:41

57.         Leaders acknowledge bold action

Mark 2:5

58.         Leaders select diverse talent

Mark 2:14

59.         Leaders break bread with followers

Mark 2:16

60.         Leaders respect people more than traditions

Mark 2:27

61.         Leaders may get angry

Mark 3:5

62.         Leaders take care of details

Mark 3:9

63.         Leaders select the time and location

Mark 3:13

64.         Leaders force multiply through other leaders

Mark 3:14

65.         Leaders merge diverse people

Mark 3:18

66.         Leaders will face internal opposition

Mark 3:21

67.         Leaders are storytellers

Mark 3:23

68.         Leaders may be judged unfairly

Mark 3:30

69.         Leaders are faithful

Mark 4:27

70.         Leaders exercise control and authority when required

Mark 5:8

71.         Leaders develop an outstanding reputation

Mark 5:20

72.         Leaders deal with distractions gracefully

Mark 5:34

73.         Leaders are pragmatic

Mark 5:43

74.         Leaders know it’s not where you come from

Mark 6:3

75.         Leaders create teams of teams

Mark 6:7

76.         Leaders supervise

Mark 6:30

77.         Leaders understand the value of rest

Mark 6:31

78.         Leaders stay on mission

Mark 7:8

79.         Leaders know it’s what’s inside that counts

Mark 7:15

80.         Leaders exceed expectations

Mark 7:37

81.         Leaders take advantage of teachable moments

Mark 8:15

82.         Leaders maintain vigilance

Mark 8:18

83.         Leaders deeply connect with those closest

Mark 9:2

84.         Leaders call on potential

Mark 9:23

85.         Leaders don’t lose sight of the bigger picture

Mark 9:38

86.         Leaders ask questions

Mark 10:3

87.         Leaders treat the lowest as the greatest

Mark 10:13

88.         Leaders lead

Mark 10:32

89.         Leaders never stop teaching

Mark 10:42

90.         Leaders are never too busy for people

Mark 10:51

91.         Leaders take care of the logistics

Mark 11:2

92.         Leaders know some may oppose them out of fear

Mark 11:18

93.         Leaders are forgiving

Mark 11:25

94.         Leaders control what they can control

Mark 11:33

95.         Leaders stand up to the bully

Mark 12:12

96.         Leaders are wise

Mark 12:17

97.         Leaders may have to prepare for the worst

Mark 13:23

98.         Leaders know their silence may be deafening

Mark 15:5

99.         Leaders use the BLUF

Mark 16:16

100.       Leader’s people move onward and upward after they leave

Mark 16:20

101.       Leaders lean on the Word

Luke 4:4

102.       Leaders serve people who can do nothing in return

Luke 4:18

103.       Leaders may bring out the worst in people

Luke 4:29

104.       Leaders hit crisis head on

Luke 4:39

105.       Leaders are intentional

Luke 5:16

106.       Leaders inspire teamwork

Luke 5:20

107.       Leaders are agents of change

Luke 5:39

108.       Leaders know you’re never wrong doing what’s right

Luke 6:9

109.       Leaders are optimistic

Luke 6:21

110.       Leaders take the high road

Luke 6:28

111.       Leaders are above reproach

Luke 6:31

112.       Leaders give unconditionally

Luke 6:34

113.       Leaders are master evaluators

Luke 6:38

114.       Leaders are goal-oriented

Luke 6:39

115.       Leaders celebrate those that exceed expectations

Luke 7:9

116.       Leaders publicly recognize lower-level leaders

Luke 7:28

117.       Leaders are not always successful

Luke 8:5

118.       Leaders tell the full story when appropriate

Luke 8:10

119.       Leaders properly message

Luke 8:16

120.       Leaders add calm to chaos

Luke 8:24

121.       Leaders position people where they can be most effective

Luke 8:39

122.       Leaders do not micromanage

Luke 9:2

123.       Leaders make time for their people

Luke 9:10

124.       Leaders are flexible

Luke 9:11

125.       Leaders convey their vision

Luke 9:13

126.       Leaders are organized

Luke 9:14

127.       Leaders have an attitude of gratitude

Luke 9:16

128.       Leaders need ground truth

Luke 9:20

129.       Leaders prepare for the tough times

Luke 9:22

130.       Leaders should have stature

Luke 9:35

131.       Leaders allow followers to fail

Luke 9:40

132.       Leaders are humble

Luke 9:48

133.       Leaders expand their core group

Luke 10:1

134.       Leaders empower others

Luke 10:19

135.       Leaders give feedback

Luke 10:20

136.       Leaders know loyalty works both ways

Luke 12:8

137.       Leaders know power comes with responsibility

Luke 12:48

138.       Leaders know some will never get the message

Luke 13:7

139.       Leaders take care of the small things

Luke 13:19

140.       Leaders are planners

Luke 14:28

141.       Leaders always have a place for those that do the right thing

Luke 15:31

142.       Leaders are defined by their integrity

Luke 16:10

143.       Leaders must have zero-tolerance for bad

Luke 17:2

144.       Leaders need to be approachable

Luke 18:15

145.       Leaders get outside their comfort zone

Luke 18:27

146.       Leaders take the initiative to mentor

Luke 19:5

147.       Leaders love people

Luke 19:10

148.       Leaders don’t chase power

Luke 22:26

149.       Leaders seek self-improvement

Luke 22:44

150.       Leaders portray confidence

Luke 22:53

151.       Leaders publicly praise others

John 1:47

152.       Leaders may need to prove themselves

John 2:11

153.       Leaders may need physical toughness

John 2:15

154.       Leaders maintain the standards

John 2:16

155.       Leaders’ greatness may not be fully appreciated until later

John 2:22

156.       Leaders teach using personal experiences

John 3:11

157.       Leaders are the light

John 3:20

158.       Leaders are courteous to everyone

John 4:9

159.       Leaders share their faith

John 4:21

160.       Leaders have far-reaching impact

John 4:26

161.       Leaders build upon what their predecessors did

John 4:38

162.       Leaders work

John 5:17

163.       Leaders deliver a consistent message

John 5:24

164.       Leaders meet needs

John 6:5

165.       Leaders don’t waste resources

John 6:12

166.       Leaders maintain self-control

John 6:15

167.       Leaders press forward despite disbelief

John 6:36

168.       Leaders may lose followers

John 6:66

169.       Leaders understand strategy

John 7:6

170.       Leaders generate tactical intelligence

John 7:10

171.       Leaders’ abilities may be questioned

John 7:15

172.       Leaders understand spirit and intent

John 7:24

173.       Leaders can move an audience

John 7:37

174.       Leaders do their homework

John 7:38

175.       Leaders need outside support

John 7:51

176.       Leaders help people self-discover

John 8:7

177.       Leaders can make a point without being condescending

John 8:11

178.       Leaders do not seek personal glory

John 8:50

179.       Leaders know their people

John 10:14

180.       Leaders are courageous

John 11:8

181.       Leaders are allowed to cry

John 11:35

182.       Leaders will risk their careers for the right things

John 12:42

183.       Leaders serve their followers

John 13:1

184.       Leaders have humility

John 13:5

185.       Leaders model great leadership

John 13:12

186.       Leaders are the example to emulate

John 13:15

187.       Leaders dictate their own terms

John 13:27

188.       Leaders build trust

John 14:1

189.       Leaders need to continuously prune

John 15:2

190.       Leaders are willing to lay their life down

John 15:13

191.       Leaders inspire their followers

John 16:33

192.       Leaders focus through completion

John 17:4

193.       Leaders pray for their people

John 17:9

194.       Leaders pray for protection

John 17:15

195.       Leaders have the long view

John 17:20

196.       Leaders are all in

John 18:11

197.       Leaders maintain their composure

John 18:23

198.       Leaders create alliances

John 19:39

199.       Leaders give their authority away

John 20:23

200.       Leaders restore fallen leaders

John 21:17

SOME NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS

I do not attempt to provide a commentary or exposition of any of the Biblical verses I used. I used two hundred verses in this book and there are probably thousands of leadership lessons you could glean from them. I have two hundred of them. If you wouldn’t have taken the verse in the same direction as I have, that should not diminish the value of the lesson that I did articulate.

Like all books using scripture to inspire or inform, please read the surrounding verses as well to gain as much of the context as possible. Reading just the verse that I use may not inform the lesson as much as reading the entire context.

I tried to be very humble and prayerful when I used Jesus and His leadership to inform these lessons. It’s not lost on me that I am writing a book about leadership using the Greatest Leader of all time as the source. I am hopeful that you get a lot out of these lessons and truly appreciate that I did my very best to honor our Lord and Savior.

INTRODUCTION

Jesus is the epitome of what leadership is all about. Amongst other things, Jesus defines service, love, empathy, humility, doing the right thing, being THE example, being a person of character, and being people and mission focused. He is the Perfect Model of leadership and one we should all aspire to emulate.

Leadership is about influence. It can be good or bad. When I articulate how leaders are or are supposed to be, I want you to think of leaders and leadership in the most positive sense possible. I know many of you have worked or currently work with leaders that don’t measure up. So, when I say leaders, think of them in the most positive of ways.