Written by: Hermann du Plessis
Article source: Supplied

“Servant leadership is not a soft concept. It’s not about being liked. It’s about being intentional, strategic, and deeply human.”
 — Lead With Intent, Hermann du Plessis

If you’re tired of leadership books that feel like motivational wallpaper—fluffy, forgettable, and disconnected from real life—then you’re not alone.

When I wrote Lead With Intent, I wasn’t trying to add noise to an already loud space. I was documenting what was working in boardrooms, classrooms, churches, and communities across 18 African countries. The principles I uncovered weren’t imported from somewhere else—they were born right here, in the beautiful complexity of South Africa.

That’s why Lead With Intent became a double best-seller. Not because I shouted the loudest, but because it works.

WHY A DIFFERENT KIND OF LEADER IS NEEDED

Let’s be honest: South Africa doesn’t need more leaders—it needs better ones.

Leadership today isn’t about commanding from the top. It’s about leaning in, listening, and leading with intent.

In a country shaped by diverse cultures, painful histories, and urgent transformation, we can’t afford leadership that’s reactive or rooted in ego. Servant leadership offers a different path—one that echoes Kingdom principles: humility, wisdom, stewardship, and love.

THE NINE PRACTICES THAT CHANGE EVERYTHING

In Lead With Intent, I share nine practices of servant leadership that go beyond theory. These principles have transformed major corporations, non-profits, and even families. Here are three to get us started:

1. Choose Purpose Over Popularity

“You don’t need a title to lead. You need purpose. Purpose gives you the clarity and courage to show up even when it’s inconvenient.”
— Lead With Intent, Chapter 1

Christian leadership is never a popularity contest. Jesus wasn’t always liked—but He was always intentional.

Leading with intent means aligning your actions with a higher purpose. That purpose must be bigger than a title, KPI, or approval rating. For Christians, it’s about stewarding influence for the sake of others.

2. Build Trust with Transparency

“The strength of your leadership is directly proportional to the trust people place in you. And trust is built when leaders are real, not perfect.”
— Lead With Intent, Chapter 3

South Africa’s history has created deep trust deficits. If you’re leading people from different backgrounds, transparency isn’t optional—it’s essential.

In the workplace, this might look like admitting when you don’t have all the answers. In a ministry setting, it could mean sharing your journey—not just your successes. Vulnerability, when combined with wisdom, inspires loyalty.

3. Use Power to Empower

“Authority is given to you, but influence is earned. The best leaders use their power to lift others, not to elevate themselves.”
— Lead With Intent, Chapter 5

Power in the Kingdom is paradoxical. The greatest must become the least. In my coaching work across 19 countries, I’ve seen how leaders who intentionally raise others often outperform those who cling to control.

Mentorship, coaching, and empowerment are not just HR strategies—they’re biblical principles.

LEADERSHIP IN A SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT

I grew up in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal. I speak English, Afrikaans, and Zulu. That’s not a flex as the kids would say—it’s a necessity in a country as beautifully diverse as ours.

Our workplaces and communities are shaped by culture, language, and lived experience. Leadership that doesn’t understand this will always fall short. That’s why Lead With Intent is anchored in African research and co-developed with my friend and colleague, Sizwe Kuwayo.

When we understand the people we lead, we unlock their potential. When we assume we know best, we stifle growth.

THE FAITH FOUNDATION

As a follower of Jesus, I believe leadership is a calling. It’s not about being in charge—it’s about being accountable.

Many readers have told me that the book didn’t just transform how they lead at work—it changed how they lead at home, in their marriages, and in their faith. That’s the power of servant leadership. It’s not situational. It’s transformational.

“This book changed how I show up as a father, a husband, and a leader in my church,” wrote one reader from Cape Town.

We lead best when we lead like Jesus. Not with ego. Not with fear. But with intention, humility, and love.

CLOSING THOUGHT

South Africa’s challenges are not insurmountable. But they require a different kind of leadership—leadership with intent.

My invitation to you, dear reader, is this: whether you lead a boardroom, a Bible study, or a small business, do it with purpose. Do it with courage. And above all, do it with love.

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Date published: 13/05/2025
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only.

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