Robert Greenleaf coined the term in a 1970 essay that drew a picture of a different kind of leader: The servant-leader is servant first... It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions...
The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast followership and servant leadership. Followers are people who are led and accept direction and guidance with an aim towards finishing a task or accomplishing a goal. Leaders are those that have control or dictation over others and provide a goal for them to strive for. These two definitions are the foundation for learning pertinent information about followership or servant leadership. First off followership states "A reciprocal process of leadership.
The book of Acts is riddled with accounts of servant leaders who rose up to become the examples of what servant ministry looks like. Actually, not one of them would have been the leaders they were without the ultimate example of Jesus. He was the epitome of what servant leadership should look like. All through-out Jesus’ ministry he served others, feeding, healing, and ministering to them. Day after day he lead by example and in C. Gene Wilkes book, “Jesus on Leadership” Gene gives seven leading principles to lead as Jesus lead.
The definition of Servant Leadership as defined by Robert K. Greenleaf states that this is a person who is first a servant, and then a leader. He or she starts from the bottom and works their way up the ladder. These people are often focused other people’s priorities, they often share power with all and they are helping their followers or subordinates develop and mature so they can perform at their best. Jim Lovell is a great example of a servant leader.
Servant leadership is not the only leadership theory that is compatible with the Christian worldview. Others Christian-compatible leadership principles include Transformational Leadership Theory. Northouse (2016) states transformational changes and transforms people. The theory concern with emotions, values, ethics, standards, and goals while assessing followers’ motives, satisfying followers’ needs, and treating members’ as full human beings. Leader-Member Exchange Theory (LMX).
Then, what is servant leadership about? 1.1 Definition of servant leadership Servant leadership was first proposed in a classic essay called The Servant as Leader by Robert K. Greenleaf in 1970. The basic concept of servant leadership is based on ‘to serve first’, as you can definitely find out in the term of servant. Concretely, servant leadership means a servant who listens to others can finally become a leader. A servant leader is the one who has a priority on the other members of an organization to respect and consider.
Instead, servant leadership encourages leaders to prioritize the needs and well-being of their followers. One of the key differences between servant leadership and other leadership theories is the emphasis on serving others and prioritizing their needs. Servant leaders exhibit behaviors such as mentoring, listening, empathy, and stewardship, which contrast with the more autocratic and directive behaviors associated with other leadership theories Additionally, servant
The basic principle of servant leadership is serving others and the community. The three principles of the servant-leadership are sharing the power, putting the needs of others first and helping people achieve their highest potential so that they may want to serve others. This creates an environment of trust, collaboration, teamwork and group improvement. Robert Greenleaf created the term, Servant Leader, and creating the idea of leading by serving with individuals and organizations. In one of his major essay’s, The Institution as Servant, Greenleaf (as cited in “What is Servant Leadership,” n.d.) expressed what was frequently called the “credo.”
Running head: SERVANT LEADERSHIP ANALYSIS 1 Running head: SERVANT LEADERSHIP ANALYSIS 9 Servant Leadership Experience Analysis LDR-630 Servant Leadership Sylvia M. Bermudez February 28, 2018 Servant Leadership Experience Servant leaders understand the importance of building and supporting others and in helping nurture future servant leaders. Servant leaders “want to serve, to serve first,” (Greenleaf, 1970), they inspire and motivate followers through their actions and words and focus on the needs and desires of others, placing them over their own. The concept of servant leadership was first coined in the 1970s by Robert K. Greenleaf, in his essay, “Servant Leaders.” Greenleaf defines servant leadership, as “a philosophy and
According to the servant leadership theory, a leader must put the needs and interests of others above their needs. To Greenleaf, servant leaders prioritize service before leadership
Servant leadership is a philosophy and set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations and ultimately creates a more just and caring world. Servant leader focus on the needs of others before considers they own. A servant leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. They are more focus on success with a peaceful way and caring world compare to some leader style want to success no matter using what cruel way. While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the “top of the pyramid”, but servant leadership is different.
Servant leadership believes one should provide priority to others interest. Leaders should server others to meet their desires, needs and aspiration. Leaders should service and develop their employees (Nahavandi, 2015) leaders do not encourage leaders to go over and beyond to meet the need of the individual problems. Servant leadership listens, persuades, and give empathy during times of crisis. Authentic leaders adapt their style to the situation.
A person’s call to be a servant leader is to better others and help find their purpose in life. God gives each individual their own unique characteristics and talents. God then wants each person to use those characteristics and talents to find their calling/vocation. When a person discovers their true calling or vocation, everything they do
Servant Leadership during Natural Disasters Servant leadership is a leader who displays ethical and caring behaviors. These leaders seek to enhance the growth of others while improving quality of life. The two main constructs of this leadership are ethical behavior and concern for subordinates. The characteristics embodied in this are stewardship, foresight, conceptualization, persuasion, building community, listening, empathy, awareness, commitment to growth of people and healing.
According to Greenleaf, servant leadership by definition, states that the leader has a need to serve others with the goal that they can continue to create themselves and along these lines perform to address the organization’s needs. The person who chooses to lead first, maybe on account of a need to alleviate an uncommon power drive or to procure material belonging, may make the decision to serve later after self leadership is established. Servant leaders see themselves as servants first then the desire to lead comes next. So for them leading becomes a way to serve. In hopes that soon those servants will turn into servant leaders themselves to help other people within the association which again enables the association to perform efficiently
