Word of the Week - Servant Leadership

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:45 

Servant Leadership Context – As I mentioned in my “Word of the Week” last week, I am currently reading/studying a book called “Servant Leadership in Action” – How you can Achieve Great Relationships and Results.  Conventional wisdom may suggest that these two things are not fully aligned, but the truth as modeled by Jesus is when we put people ahead of our goals there is amazing fruit and benefits, especially over time.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4.  I sincerely believe this is the truth and there are lots of case studies that prove it to be true.  The following are a few insights I am gaining from this book and process that I thought would be good to share with you my family, friends, and colleagues.

Servant Leadership is a leadership philosophy whereby the leader is a servant first,  Thinking about people and their needs ahead of stated goals and objectives.  It begins with a conviction that one wants to serve first and lead second.  This is counter to most traditional leadership philosophies.  So how do we know if we are truly living as Servant Leaders?  The best litmus test are the following questions:

  • Are the people I am serving growing holistically (emotionally, relationally, intellectually, spiritually etc)?

  • Are they becoming healthier, wiser, freer and more autonomous?

  • Are they themselves becoming Servant Leaders?

Key Characteristics of Servant Leadership according to Robert K. Greenleaf one of the most renowned experts on Servant Leadership

  • Listening - Leaders traditionally have been valued for their communication and decision-making skills. Although important skills for a any leader; listening, coupled with periods of reflection, is essential to the growth and effectiveness of a Servant Leader.

  • Empathy – The Servant Leader strives to understand and empathize with those he/she is leading. The most successful Servant Leaders are those who become skilled empathetic listeners. Working hard to relate with the other persons perspective.

  • Healing – The healing of relationships is a powerful force for transformation. Most people have broken spirits and have suffered from a variety of emotional woundedness. One of the greatest strengths of a Servant Leader is being an agent for healing. Starting with ourselves, our relationship with others and helping others walk through process of relational healing.

  • Awareness – General awareness and especially self-awareness strengthens the Servant Leader. Awareness helps gain understanding and lends itself to allowing us to view situations from a more integrated holistic perspective.

  • Persuasion – Effective Servant Leaders rely on their ability to influence those they are leading by persuasion to gain buy-in and trust verses using positional authority. Servant Leaders seek to convince others rather than coerce compliance.

  • Conceptualization – Servant Leaders seek and nurture their abilities to dream great dreams. They must be able to rise above the day to day and see the bigger perspective. It is also important to be able to share and communicate the vision with inspiration.

  • Foresight – Related to conceptualization, the ability to foresee the likely outcome of an initiative. Foresight enables the Servant Leader to understand the lessons from the past, the realities of the present, and likely consequences of decision on the future.

  • Stewardship – This is the idea that as leaders we are responsible by holding something in the trust of others. Understanding that we are taking care of people and the organization on behalf of others. It is not about us but about others.

  • Commitment to Growth of People – Servant Leaders truly believe that people have intrinsic value beyond their tangible contributions as workers. As such, Servant Leaders are deeply committed to the growth of each individual within their organization.

  • Building Community – Servant Leaders seek to identify means for building authentic community among those on their teams. Finding ways to help team members realize they are a part of building something special for a purpose larger than themselves. All team members have a unique and important role in the organizational family.

I find it interesting that all of these characteristics are clearly seen and demonstrated in the person of Jesus.  By walking out our leadership with a Servant Leadership philosophy, we become more Christlike allowing us to live out the gospel message.  I believe this is the abundant life that Jesus talks about in John 10:10.  

I pray that the Lord would give me the wisdom, power and grace to be a Servant Leader in all areas of my life.  

Happy Father’s Day to all of you dads. 

-Duane

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Word of the Week - Freedom (Independence Day Word)

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Word of the Week - Servant Leadership