The Servant as a Leader

This one is long pending blog.... Wanted it to be the best since I read the book "The Servant" written by James C. Hunter and got immensely inspired by the theory. The term Servant-leadership was first proposed by Robert K. Greenleaf in 1970. The book is quick read and the story is quiet engaging.

Let me take you though the take away's from the book....

The concept of "Servant Leadership" is not widely known by large number of individuals but its a belief that has been embraced by large number of successful leaders. The leader assumes his position that of a servant during his/her interactions with followers.

This theory of Servant Leadership gave me a pause for thought to challenge the crux of any leader - follower relationship in an organisation. These two seemingly contradictory terms when juxtaposed it brought forward the holistic approach to work. The approach which creates authenticate and long lasting leader-follower relationship. It could be only built when leadership arises not from the exercise of power or self-interested actions, but the desire to first help others.

The book even mentions the ability of the leader to encourage the greatness in others where the purpose should be to achieve organisational goals. I have started believing that it could be flawlessly achieved by applying the concept of servant-leadership.

I always tell my students that it is very important to Listen so that the implementation is efficient. Surprisingly, the author, has described the first core personal characteristic one should possess to follow this theory as the ability of LISTENING. When you implement this you even respect the person by devoting your attention and time.

The second trait that is focused is the ability to mentally project ones own consciousness into that of another individual. In simple words it means, to put your self in others shoes. Its EMPATHY..!! More you think with others perspective in mind.. the more effective are the decisions that you take. Such decisions that you take will end up building up a rock solid relationship always. The successful servant leaders are those who are skilled empathetic listeners.

The author next introduces the trait of HEALING.. The healing of relationships addresses more to the spiritual side of leadership. Learning to heal is a powerful force for transformation and integration. If an individual develops the potential to heal one's self and others he would be able to overcome the problem by understanding the root cause using spiritual means.

Next comes the key to make the best out of the leadership role. Developing the softer skills - an "AWARENESS" of self and the people around helps the leader leverage previously untapped personal qualities. It is important for the leader to develop the ability to read the room and the ability to read his/her effect on the people in the room. Awareness also helps the leader understand the issues involving ethics, values and power.

The next characteristic of servant leaders mentioned in the book is the reliance in PERSUASION, rather than on power which comes from the position. Power can be given or taken, bought or sold. Authority is about who you are as a person, your character and the influence you have built with people. The servant leader seeks to convince others rather than coerce compliance.

A leader is bound to achieve the short term as well as long term operational goals. The perspective of CONCEPTUALIZATION helps the leaders to see the big picture and also make the people visualize it. It would also mean that the leader should possess the ability to see beyond the day to day reality. Every decision or move taken should somewhere affect the set Long Term Goals. Making the team take strategic baby steps towards achieving these goals everyday could also be described as the ability to conceptualize.

Lessons learnt from the past and the realities of the present if analyzed will lead to foresee future. A leader should possess an intuitive mind to develop the characteristic of being FORESIGHT.

The author next focuses on STEWARDSHIP as a trait. It is an ethic that demands responsible planning of resources. The way the armor and weapons played an important role defining the strength of the army in addition to their skills and motivation level, the same way the resources that the leader makes available for the people around him/her would make the difference. It may include the work environment, the information flow etc.

The personal as well as professional growth of people is always at the stake of leaders commitment. A servant leader is deeply COMMITTED TO THE GROWTH OF EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL in the organisation. In practice this might include the efforts taken by the leader to develop managerial skills so that an individual could be promoted or developing policies which encourage worker involvement in decision making. Finding our ways to support people in the available bandwidth is the trait that a leader should possess.

Finally the author speaks about the ability to CREATE A COMMUNITY among those who work in businesses and other institutions together and share the common objective.

Interest in the meaning and practice of this concept remains alive after understanding the above traits of Servant Leadership. I would like to conclude with the note that the role of a leader is not to rule over other people, but to serve them.