Practicing Servant-Leadership
Servant leadership philosophy has gained popularity and use by most of the modern leaders. An escalating number of formal and informal organizations have taken up this concept as part of their company’s mission. Modern leaders moving from the old leadership styles and theories and adopting the integrated psychological leadership theory demonstrate this. This concept enhances the concern and quality of all organizations to leadership, arrangement, and decision making.
The principles of servant leadership have a lot of sense in many organizations where leadership is required. These principles educate leaders of their responsibility to care about the needs of their followers as much as they care for their own needs. The principles also provide an outline from which many known and unknown leaders assist to better the way leaders treat the people who work within their organizations.
Most of the 10 servant-leader traits identified by Spears support the topics we have covered in this course. Traits like listening, empathy, awareness, commitment to employees’ development, and community building totally support these topics. However, the trait of healing has surprised me on knowing that helping to heal the broken spirits of others and oneself is a great strength in servant-leadership.
Currently, I have not had any experience with healing leadership, but I have experienced the demonstration of stewardship at a local football club where our team leader ensures that the contributions of all the members are respected and that members participate fully towards achieving the targets of the club.
The leader also applies persuasion and openness in executing the club’s functions. Helping and nurturing individuals by showing humbleness, social support, stewardship, and guiding the lost reveals servant leadership. Both ethical and servant leadership implies that leaders are fair, honest, and trustworthy in taking responsibilities.
Servant Leadership
Whereas humility educates leaders to live by principles because principles eventually govern the consequences of their actions, insecurity is where a leader’s self worth is dependent upon external judgments and comparisons of other leaders’ success. Confidence is the inner force to find your own voice and inspire others.
Arrogance in leaders is expressed where they use the disguise of confidence, but have no real basis for being proud while confidence in leaders is manifested where they always rely on facts and knowledge, and do not show off. I believe I am humble and confident when undertaking my responsibilities and in my relationship with others.
Covey is right when he articulates that integrity is the mother of wisdom; this is because wisdom comes to the people who educate and obey their principles. Additionally, Covey is also correct when he connects moral authority to humility; this is because the power and moral superiority come from humility, where the greatest leaders become the servants of others. This relates to me as my integrity, and moral authority make me both wise and humble.
I personally do not use any rigid principles as the foundation of how I live. I believe that life situations are very dynamic, and our principles about life should keep changing according to circumstances. This inner “compass” is vital in life’s endeavors. I can demonstrate servant leadership at school by collaborating with others, executing our responsibilities, and serving other students in my various capacities.
At home, I should show respect for the house rules and execute my duties diligently, by not waiting to be told what to do ,but helping where I think my work is required. I should explore the services that I can offer to my community like engaging in garbage collection and other environment conservation activities. Considering my future vision, I will start engaging in providing support to neighbors, the community, persons with problems, and those who need my services.