Leadership theories and practices are quite numerous, many leaders start out with one style and over the years adopt various styles and practices based on the organization and the situation that they are faced with. However, throughout the years two important aspects of leadership has remained constant. (Ferch & Mitchell, 2001, p. 81) pointed out that “leadership is a relational phenomenon that occurs between people, and the fundamental goal of leadership is to remain as effective as possible”. Servant leadership is one theory that I predominantly identify with because it focuses on the relationship with a goal of improving an individual or an organization. Greenleaf (1977) introduced the concept of servant leadership approach over forty years …show more content…
Servant leadership focuses on people and places a great emphasis on the relationship between leader and follower. (Quote) states that the core premise of servant leadership is that leaders give priority to the wellbeing of their followers over the servant leader’s self interest to ensure increase organizational and individual performance. Servant leadership is very like various other leadership theories and practices however its core values provide a more meaningful framework of leadership that is focused on laying the foundation and growth for an organization and their employees. Although servant leadership was coined by Greenleaf (1977), its original principles can be found in the Bible. For example, in Matthew 20: 28 (New International Version Bible), “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”. This paper will review the practices of servant leadership it will examine the characteristics and core competencies and introduce a faith based narrative on the framework and importance of servant
Servant leadership is an effectual way to motivate the employees. Its unique emphasis on concern for
According to Greenleaf, service-leadership involves service to others. He argues that service-leadership starts when a leader takes up the position of a servant in his or her dealing with the followers. He states that truth leadership originates from an essential yearning to first assist others rather than the use of power. It implies that the drive and goal of servant-leadership are to support greatness
Servant Leadership is “an approach to leadership with strong altruistic and ethical overtones that asks and requires leader to be attentive to the needs of their followers and empathize with them; they should take care of them by making sure they become healthier, wiser, freer and more autonomous, so that they too can become servant leaders” (Valeri, 2007). Although there is not many servant leaders in this world but the concept of servant is one of the most leadership approach leaders today struggles with. Servant leadership is mainly about the leader helping to grow their followers or members personally and professionally through empathy, listening skills and compassion. The concept of servant leadership which was proposed by Robert K. Greenleaf in his 1970 writing indicated that servant leadership is a theoretical framework that advocated a leader’s primary motivation and role as service to others.
The type of leadership most noticeable in the service activity was servant leadership. Servant leadership was first introduced in 1970 by Robert K. Greenleaf in the essay “The Servant Leader”. In his essay Greenleaf says “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 leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature.” (Greenleaf, 1970) Greenleaf essentially
Servant leadership theory’s emphasis on service to others and recognition that the role of organizations is to create people who can build a better tomorrow resonates with scholars and practitioners who are responding to the growing perceptions that corporate leaders have become selfish and who are seeking a viable leadership theory to help resolve the challenges of the twenty-first century (Parris & Peachey, 2013, p 378).
This paper is based on my personal philosophy the art of servant leadership within organizations, and in the community. According to the author Aubrey Malphurs, he asserts “that there are leaders who “have the ability to lead, influence others based on certain leadership characteristics, strengths and weakness.” It is within these leadership strengths and weaknesses, there are benefits and opportunities to empower others. However, there are good and great leaders, a great leader is much more desirable, in that great leaders are driven to lead and serve their followers. Great leaders have the characteristics to be effective and empower their followers, this is the art of Servant leadership, the art of knowing how to care for others in the most
Servant leadership is a theory based on Robert K Greenleaf’s belief that all men have a primary motivation to serve others and through this service they aspire to lead (Parris & Peachey, 2012). Although this leadership model has very little in common with charismatic and situational does however compare to transformational leadership in several areas. The main area of commonality between the two can be found as transformational leaders serve as stewards to change enable the followers to accept the change and move forward with the organization (Tichy & Devanna, 1990, p. 75). In essence, servant leadership becomes the long-term transformational approach to life and work.
Introduction Servant-leadership, first introduced by Robert K. Greenleaf in 1970, is the structure that promotes a leader’s main motivation and role as a service to others. The purpose of this report is to provide a clear definition of servant leadership and examine the primary characteristics and practices of servant based leaders. The effects of it will be examined through examples in the business world to better understand the outcomes of practicing this style of leadership. The goal of this report is to provide readers with valuable information so they can form an opinion on the usefulness of servant leadership within the organization. Definition Servant‐leadership is an expression and philosophy which was originated by Robert K. Greenleaf in his 1970 essay, The Servant as Leader.
These leaders approach this area as a way to link the purposes and goals of an organization with the broader purpose of the community (Northouse, 2016). Servant leadership primarily focus is on leader behaviors, but it is also important to see the potential outcomes, which are follower performance and growth, organizational performance and societal impact (Northouse, 2016). As stated by Greenleaf himself "the central goal of servant leadership is to create healthy organizations that nurture individual growth, strengthen organizational performance, and, in the end, produces a positive impact on society" (Northouse, 2016). Let's take a closer look at this three areas.
From the group Biblical Integration Paper, it was understood that servant-leadership is not only a gift of purpose that God places in the hearts of His people, but it is also a calling in one’s life to truly touch the lives of others in need. Living a successful life, as a servant-leader is not one that focuses on self-fulfillment, rather it is in seeking a fulfillment that comes from Christ when one pours him/herself out for the sake of others. It is through servant-leadership that one is able to bring hope into hopeless situations (Group Integration Paper,
Through identification and ongoing assessment of her leadership style and ability this leader is able to develop and understand her own strengths and limitations in order to grow and develop into a more effective leader. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of servant leadership, contingency, path-goal styles leadership to gain an understanding of current leadership models, identify this author’s style of leadership and explore why leadership is important to organizations, society and this author.
Servant leadership is the management philosophy at Pervasive Solutions. From the perspective of a middle manager, this is a description of how the leadership team at Pervasive Solutions uses the servant leadership philosophy to lead, make decisions, lead change, and to motivate the employees to succeed. According to Hellriegel, Jackson and Slocum (2008), “the relationship between leaders and subordinates is reinforced by the concept of servant leadership” (p. 56). Nayab, N. (n.d.) stated, “The servant leader always looks at the good in others and remains patient and forgiving. Servant leadership creates strong loyalty and inspiration that helps organizations develop and retain human capital. They see things from others perspective,
The foundation of my personal leadership philosophy can be found in the principles of servant leadership as spelled out by Greenleaf (1970, 1977). Leadership is granted to individuals who are by nature servants. An individual emerges as a leader by first becoming a servant. Servant leaders attend to the needs of those they serve and help them become more informed, free, self-sufficient, and like servants themselves. Leaders and those they serve improve, enhance, and develop each other through their connection. A leader must also be conscious of inequalities and social injustices in the organizations they serve and work actively to resolve those issues. Servant leaders rely less on the use of official power and control, but focus on empowering those they
Here, Greenleaf describes a relationship that is centered on the selfless nature of the leader. While servant leadership prioritizes serving other’s without benefiting personally, it should be questioned if this is truly possible. This is because it is not likely to act as a servant-leader without receiving something in return. An example of this would be a person volunteering for a cause
Servant leadership from a Christian perspective is a replica of what Jesus Christ symbolizes. Jesus was a servant because he showed truth, vision, humility, commitment, teacher to his followers, and brought about change; he was a suffering servant, yet was merciful, he was a teacher, yet willing to be taught by the Holy Spirit. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”