Servant Leadership Theory

Module 1 – Learning and Leading in a Dynamic Era

Individual Assignment 1: Draft Leadership Critique

INTRODUCTION

The concept of leadership is the most important aspect in any organization’s future as it determines the long term existence of such an organization in any given sector. In view of the number and complexities of organizations, and the need to lead effectively, it’s a common knowledge that leadership as a concept is the most perceived and minimally understood occurrence (Burns, 1978). I firmly believe that for one to lead effectively in a dynamic era, there must be a display of very good positive qualities such as empathy, honesty, creativity and the ability to inspire and motivate others to attain their full potential in the workplace

This type of leader is constantly seeking for avenues to serve first and always puts the interest of others like subordinates and customers above their self-desired interest and often prefer to share their authority and superiority with the people they are leading (Greenleaf, 1977). Also the concept of servant leadership attributes a leader not as the main person in charge in any work environment, so that organizational assets and resources are channeled to subordinates even without the anticipation of appreciation (Smith et al., 2004). The servant leadership theory is also viewed by many researchers as an inverted pyramid model where the leader is located at the bottom of the organizational hierarchy in order to serve the entire organization and the resultant effect entails the sole benefit for followers and selflessness of the servant leader (Laub,

In my view, the two leadership theories discussed are in consonance with my perspective that a leader is to serve the interest of his subordinate’s as they are the largest members of any organization. I also believe that subordinate being the least members of organizations should be appreciated and considered at all times as this is vital for sustaining the workforce and developing employee commitment to employers. Also both Servant and Transformational leadership styles, hinge their ideology on honesty, humility, vision, and authority as these key elements are active qualities continuously engage by me in my organization. I strongly believe that for any organization to keep evolving in the ever dynamic business world, employee motivation and acknowledgment is important as these are displayed by both leadership theories. I have discovered from recent times that the reason why employees resign from their work place is not that they hate their managers, but because they were not adequately motivated and acknowledged for accomplishments in that organization as their manages take credit for jobs done and enforces subordinates to serve their interest which should be the reverse. Therefore, for any organization to