How to Lead Like Jesus with John Wallace Whitehead

From Broken to Builder: John Whitehead's Journey to Servant Leadership

In a world obsessed with hierarchical power and positional authority, John Wallace Whitehead offers a radically different approach to leadership - one that mirrors the example of Jesus Christ himself.

On the latest episode of Real Men Connect, host Dr. Joe Martin welcomes Whitehead, author of "Servant Leadership: Leading Today for a Better Tomorrow," for a raw and transformative conversation about what it truly means to lead from a place of service rather than dominance.

Three Key Highlights from the Episode:

1. The Power of Presence Over Provision

Whitehead shares one of his most profound leadership lessons: "My family didn't need my provision. They needed my presence." This insight challenges the common masculine assumption that being a good provider automatically makes you a good leader. Instead, Whitehead emphasizes that families need fathers and husbands who are emotionally and physically present, engaged in the daily moments that truly shape lives.

2. Bottom-Up Leadership vs. Top-Down Control

Traditional hierarchical leadership operates from the top down, with positional authority driving compliance. Servant leadership, however, works from the bottom up - lifting others, supporting their growth, and empowering them to reach their potential. "A servant leader supports the organization," Whitehead explains. "The servant leader is lifting everyone to help them become the best that they can be so that they can go out into this world and impact this world for Jesus Christ."

3. Every Man is Already a Leader

Perhaps the most challenging insight from the conversation is Whitehead's assertion that every man is already leading, whether he realizes it or not. "You are a leader and people are watching you. You have a sphere of influence," he states. The question isn't whether you're a leader - it's what kind of leader you choose to be. This reframes leadership from an aspirational goal to a current responsibility.

Whitehead's own journey from a man who "lived like hell" despite multiple encounters with Christ to becoming a pastor and leadership author demonstrates that transformation is possible at any stage of life. His breakthrough came at a Promise Keepers event when he realized he wasn't the example his wife and children needed him to be.

The conversation serves as both a challenge and an encouragement to men who want to lead with integrity, purpose, and Christ-like love in every sphere of their influence.

---

John Wallace Whitehead is the author of Servant Leadership: Leading Today for a Better Tomorrow.  He was born in Charlotte, NC, and he resides in North Palm Beach, FL with his wife of 38 years Bonnie, whom he has known since he was 14 years old. He and Bonnie have two adult children Lindsay and John P. and they are the grandparents of two boys.

John has served in pastoral ministry in the Palm Beach County area for the last 12 years as an interim and associate pastor. He currently serves as an associate pastor at Christ Fellowship in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

To contact John, you can visit his website at http://www.johnwallacewhitehead.com or email him at john@fsds.net .

Are you stuck? Want to get your faith, marriage, family, career and finances back on track?  Then maybe it’s time you got a coach. Every CHAMPION has one. Schedule an appointment to chat with Dr. Joe on how we can help you spiritually love and lead your family better and become the hero of your home.

BOOK A FREE BREAKTHROUGH CALL HERE.