Skip to main content

Servant Leadership

This week we are going to look at various leadership styles. I will look at a few that are commonplace within the leadership institution and a few unique styles. Today I want to look at Servant Leadership these won't be deep dives into the styles but more of a general overview and my opinion of the style.

The phrase “Servant Leadership” was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in The Servant as Leader, an essay that he first published in 1970.  This is from the following webpage Greenleaf Center.  The term "Servant Leadership" has only been around since 1970 but the concept is been around since the beginning of time. Jesus was the ultimate Servant leader in that He was willing to lay down His life for others.

It is that mentality that a leader should have if they want to drive success in their followers. Servant Leadership isn't a me first leadership style. Instead it is a you first leadership style. The leader is always looking for ways to improve and grow those around him/her. They are willing to serve first and lead second. By doing this they really become a leader.

You may have heard the phrase "Do as I say not as I do". A servant leader uses the motto "Do as I do and say". Showing others how to serve is in my belief the ultimate in leadership skills. If you look at the Gospels and read about everything Jesus did it was all about serving. He healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the hungry and washed his disciples feet. He served and the more He served the larger the crowds became who followed Him.

Are you a servant leader? Are you willing to lay down your life for your followers? Do you have what it takes to be the ultimate leader, a servant leader. That is not to say all the other leadership styles are no good or don't work, because they do work. I just believe that Servant Leadership is the best way to lead a group of people. It shows you care about them and not your own special interests.

Go and find a group to serve.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Where Have I Been?

 The title of this article is apropos since I haven't blogged in almost 12 years. I plan to start this blog up again and try to blog on a consistent basis. I will also be broadening the topics that I write about. Be sure to subscribe so you can get notifications about when I post. So what have I been up to since that October day in 2013 when I made my last blog? Let me recap for you. When that post happened I was in the middle of my Toastmaster journey and I'm happy to say that I crossed the Toastmaster finish line by earning my DTM. I didn't continue in Toastmasters after that since I changed jobs and took my leadership skills to Mathnasium and started running a Mathnasium in Blaine MN in 2016. I got the opportunity to blend my education degree with my MBA and use it as the Director of the Mathnasium in Blaine. I also had the opportunity to be the director at one in St Louis Park and one in  Andover. I ran these until 2023 when I decided to go back into the classroom and t...

Team of Rivals

 Today I'm going to give you a book review. My favorite books to read are non-fiction books about baseball seasons, baseball players, presidents, or history. The book I'm currently reading and almost done with is "Team Of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin published in 2005. This book is 754 pages and I have 23 pages left so I think I can give you a good indication about the book. This book is really a retelling of the political career and presidency of Abraham Lincoln as told through extensive research into diaries and memoirs of those who worked closely with Lincoln. I have really enjoyed this book and the writing of Kearns. She is able to piece together all of her information about Lincoln's presidency and life during that time. She gives us up close narratives of the behind the scenes at the White House and his cabinet especially during the civil war. More often than not Presidents will give cabinet spots to friends. This book shows that Lincoln surrounded himsel...

A Higher Calling

Being a leader can be very rewarding especially when you can help others become leaders. Leading can also be a very difficult role and it has many challenges. That is why it is important that leaders continue to grow and find ways to grow. It is through growth that leaders become better. You may find yourself being a leader at more places than just on your job. You may be a leader at home or at church. In all those areas you can find ways to grow your leadership skills. The best way to grow your leadership skills is through your higher calling. Each of us have a higher calling through God and it is your faith in him and your spiritual life that will help you grow exponentially. You need to find out what your higher calling is and become a leader in that area. Your faith is the most important aspect of your leadership role. You cannot be leader on your own you need to lean on the power of God. If you try to go it alone you will burn yourself out and you will end up making some...