Filing Your Rank

Part 3 in a series on Power Dynamics in Leadership

When someone is promoted or hired into management, she or he becomes responsible for a group of direct reports. When organizational charts are drawn up, it’s typical that the boss/leader/manager is listed above the direct reports with a reporting line going in between. This is an indication of the relative power (or power imbalance) between the two roles. Your direct reports may have their own responsibilities to lead a team of their own, but your primary leadership responsibility is to serve those who are under your immediate authority.

As we talk about power dynamics in leadership, we’re looking primarily at positional power, and power imbalances. Power dynamics won’t crop up as much in peer relationships because your positional power is relatively equal. You might spot imbalances of another sort, and I may talk about those as time goes on, but the current focus is on making you, as a leader, aware of the tripping hazards of your positional authority.

One of the ways that we indicate that authority relationship is through a title. In the military it’s referred to as a rank. Whether you call it a title or a rank or a label of some other sort, the designation points out a difference in power relative to those you are responsible for.

Please note: the existence of the power differences is not a problem in itself. These differences are legitimate and God has instituted authority structures in various spheres for our benefit. It’s not wrong that some have more power than others.

The problem comes when you or I use that power, intentionally or not, in ways that don’t help the people we’re supposed to be serving and caring for. In fact, too often power is used in ways that oppress or belittle those we’re supposed to serve.

In the Scriptures, we see God referred to as El Elyon, or “Most High God.” There’s only one true God, and He is the Most High. It’s a title. God is at the pinnacle of the cosmic org chart.

El Elyon is used over 50 times in the Old Testament, and “God Most High” is used in both testaments in various forms. God does not use it to describe Himself to His people, however. The first mention of God by this Name is Melchizadek being characterized as a “priest of the Most High God.” The demons in Mark 5 and Luke 8 refer to Jesus as “the Son of the Most High.” We often refer to Jesus as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

But He doesn’t say “I’m the Most High God” when introducing Himself. When He gives a detailed description of Himself to Moses in Exodus 34 , that title is nowhere to be found. Instead, He says “I am Who I am” and explains His compassionate, forgiving, and just character. God doesn’t put His “Most High” title on His nametag. He isn’t constantly telling us He’s in charge.

Is He the Most High God? Absolutely! It is completely accurate for us to describe Him that way. As noted above, the demons do just that when confronted with Christ.

I’ve told leaders in the past “When you have to tell your team that you’re in charge you already have lost the argument.” Leaders wield both power and influence. When you have legitimate power you shouldn’t need to point to it. In fact, it’s most often better when you deflect it in relational interactions. Pulling rank is a last resort and should be saved for situations of great urgency.

Keep power and authority in the back of your file cabinet. Work with and empower others rather than pushing and prodding. This maxim is not only for managers working in a business environment, but it’s also crucial if your work is in the sphere of the Church. Pastors and elders need to recognize that they communicate from a power imbalance as much as leaders in the business realm.

You can get results by waving your power and authority around, but you can also cause harm. That’s not the way that Jesus wants you to lead. When James and John try to carve out some special seats in the New Kingdom, Jesus rebukes them by describing Godly servant leadership:

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slaves of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45 ESV

When Jesus was leaving after His resurrection He gave some final words that we often refer to as The Great Commission. Step back and look at this conceptually as an instruction from a leader to those who are following:

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 ESV

Jesus establishes where the authority comes from and Who has it. With authority comes the ultimate responsibility (cf Luke 12:48b). When I was in a leadership role and would refer to my title, at times I’d say “that’s just a fancy way to say if something goes terribly wrong I get fired first.” As a leader, you need to make sure that you’re taking responsibility for what does and doesn’t get done. Shield your team from repercussions that you can accept for them. In more modern parlance, “don’t throw your direct reports under the bus.”

Jesus says He has authority and responsibility- so you can go and do the job He has for you. He names the authority and responsibility and then empowers them for the work that He’s going to do through them. He follows that up with a promise that He’s with them. This is made even more clear when He sends the Spirit later. He’s “surely” there for them and has their backs.

Don’t be the leader who points to his or her title over and over again in an attempt to demand respect and obedience. Your title, left in the bottom file drawer, already creates an intimidating power imbalance. The way to counteract that is to consciously humble yourself and serve. Treat your direct reports like you report to them. Establish that you’re going to take the brunt of the responsibility, that you’re going to empower them for the work you’re asking them to do, and make sure you’ve got their backs and are available for everything they need.

Because that’s the way that Jesus treats you.