Servant Leadership Paper

Introduction Larry Spears, a follower of the servant leader guru Robert Greenleaf, developed a list of qualities of servant leadership. His list includes listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people and building community (Dittmar, 2006). This paper will discuss the results of my interview with a few local acquaintances and their leadership style.

Leader #1: Ms. Becky Walker Ms. Becky Walker is Associate Director of Ministries at Anderson University. Ms. Becky describes her leadership style as democratic. Ms. Becky’s primary servant leadership style is shown thru her ability to be a coach to others. She states, “Coaching is when

I admire Ms. Becky’s coaching style.

Many people, including myself, respond well to leaders who are committed to the growth of others. (B. Walker, personal communication, October 22, 2015).

Leader #2: Mr. Oscar Cowans Mr. Oscar Cowans is a Team Leader over welding and water blasting for Team Industrial

Solutions. Mr. Cowans is well known for his trustworthiness and dependability. Mr. Cowans’ primary servant leadership quality is stewardship. Mr. Cowans states that, “I lead by example. I hold myself to a higher standard and try to do things the right way; and in return I do not expect anything less from my guys. I value integrity and commitment.” I was most surprised by Mr.

Cowans’ admission that in his younger days, that he had no mercy on people. But fortunately, he proudly admits that over the years he has learned how to be merciful and understanding. It is reassuring to know that people and their leadership style can change and grow over time. (O.

Cowans, personal communication, October 19, 2015).

Leader #3: Mr. Walt Jefferson. Mr. Walt Jefferson is Trustee Vice Chairman, Transportation Supervisor, and

Zion Baptist Church. He is also a career painter. Mr. Jefferson also is a

Veteran who served in the Korean War. Mr. Jefferson describes his leadership style as democratic. Mr. Jefferson’s primary servant leadership style is building community. Mr.

Jefferson states that, “I just want to serve the people rather than insisting that they serve me”. It was heartfelt and eye-opening when Mr. Jefferson revealed that, “The most difficult decisions for me are the ones where the interests of the ministries are more important than the interest of an individual”. Serving others seems to have been a lifelong calling for Mr. Jefferson. He is a true servant leader. (W. Jefferson, personal communication, October 24, 2015).

Conclusion

Everyone has their own personal leadership style. Moses was one of the greatest servant leaders to walk this earth (Miller, 1987). Ultimately, it is God who appoints our leaders. “So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes” (Deuteronomy 1:15