Servant Legend

I put a shout out to a leader group on Linkedin to see if they could nominate anyone for the Legends of leadership piece that I do. So far I have received three good suggestions. Today I am adding my next person to my list of Legends of Leadership.

It is my belief that the best type of leadership is Servant leadership. It is the highest calling of leadership it allows the leader to serve and thus lead the way that others should serve. With that in mind the latest addition to the legends of leadership is Robert K. Greenleaf (1904 – 1990). Robert Greenleaf is the founder of servant leadership although he wasn’t the first to perform this style of leadership he is the one who coined the term “servant leadership”.

Most of the following information can be found on the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership website. What does Mr. Greenleaf’s resume and accomplishments look like?

RESUME:

·         Director of Management Research at AT&T

·         Lecturer and Teacher at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, Harvard Business School, Dartmouth and University of Virginia.

·         Speaker, writer and consultant

·         President and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

·         Published “The Servant as Leader” essay which launched the servant leadership movement.

·         Coined the term “Servant Leadership”

·         The Center for Applied Ethics was renamed the Robert K Greenleaf Center.

·         Wrote other books  on Servant Leadership

Robert Greenleaf’s legacy and legend lives on every time a leader practices servant leadership. It is through his great work in this field that we as leaders can grab a hold of a leadership style that will bring satisfaction to our lives.

Gold Leadership

Today we finish our look at Olympic leadership by claiming the gold medal of leadership and standing proud to say that we have reached the pinnacle of leadership. That doesn’t mean that once you are working at the gold standard of leadership that you sit back and don’t look to improve. Regardless of what level of leadership you are at you always want to look for ways to improve and make yourself even a better leader.

What does it take to be a gold leader?

Let me share an Olympic story. A few days ago the Men’s 400m race was run. The gold medal winner of that race was Kirani James from Grenada. It was the first medal won for the country of Grenada. It was what Kirani did during the semis that makes him a real gold medal winner. After he won his semi final race he went over to a South Africian runner, Oscar Pistorius. Kirani exchanged name tags with Oscar. It is my understanding that this is a sign of respect to the other athlete. You see, Pistorius is a double amputee and the first one to compete against able bodied competitors. Kirani James gets it, the Olympics is about the human spirit exceeding all expectations to do and be the best you can be. The true winner in the games is Kirani and Oscar.

To be that gold leader you must do the following.

• A gold leader is a servant leader. Serving others and seeing the true value in those around you.
• A gold leader has a vision that isn’t about themselves but about the success of others.
• A gold leader makes decisions that allow them to be change agents.
• A gold leader has the respect of everyone because of their knowledge and their unselfish leadership.
• A gold leader is brave and willing to go and do things that have never been done before.

Be a gold leader be like Kirani and Oscar, go where no one has gone before. Be a true gold leader by serving others and becoming that servant leader. Envision yourself standing on the top podium earning the applause and respect of those lives you have touched with your leadership. Go for the Gold!!

Servant Leadership

Over the past five days, not including the weekend, I have been looking at servant leadership and the ultimate servant leader, Jesus. What are some things you can do to become that servant leader. First of all let's remember that Jesus performed many miracles as a servant leader. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind and fed 5000 with just a meager child's lunch. We can't come close to doing the things Jesus did but if we seek first His kingdom and righteousness He will be able to help us in all that we do.

 

The first step to servant leadership is to humble yourself to God. Here is what we looked at this week and how they can help you become a servant leader.

 

• Washing Feet - Serve first then lead later.
• Ransom Note - Give your live a ransom and serve others.
• Socialization - Dig in and interact with your employees.
• Attitude - Serve with Attitude. Have the attitude of a servant leader, always willing to give.
• Secret - Serve in silence and reap your higher calling reward.

 What is your serving attitude? Do you think about serving first and then leading? If so that will get you further than trying to lead first. Leaders should really be servants first. Read back through my posts for this week and think about ways you can be that servant first. If you do you will really see your leadership skills soar.

Socialization

We are looking at Servant Leadership by examining the life of Jesus and how He was a servant leader.

Today's verse:

Luke 5:29 - 30 "Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying "Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?""

In these verses Jesus is socializing with sinners. The low-lifes of society. That is why Jesus was here on earth to save those who were lost. To reach out to those low-lifes and let them know that they could live the high life if they just followed Him.

So how does this relate to servant leadership? Sometimes leaders have to do things they don't like. Sometimes a leader has to take on a menial task to complete a project or get the job done. Sometimes leaders need to do something they don't like to do.

When a leader avoids these situations they are sending a message to their followers that they are better than this task and that they are above doing these types of chores. A servant leader is willing to get down and do what it takes to get the job done. Maybe it is filling in for a sick employee or working late with your employees to complete a project.Servant leaders do these things, regular leaders do not.

Jesus was a servant leader because He was willing to do what it took to get the job done. Even if it meant socializing with the low-lifes. When Jesus did this He was able to connect with the people and they respected Him for it. However the upper management didn't think He should be socializing with the lower class.

A servant leader not only gets their hands dirty but does so by working with the regular employees. Serving the employees and the company to make sure everyone is successful.

Questions to Ponder:
Do I think I am above doing the tasks of my employees?

What are some ways I can serve my employees?

You are a better leader if you can show your employees that no job is too small or unimportant.

Don't be prideful, be a servant leader.

Ransom Note

Servant leadership, the style that seems contrary to being a leader but the one that is the most satisfying for everyone involved. I started yesterday with a deeper dive into Servant leadership and specifically Jesus as the ultimate servant leader.

Today's verse:  Matthew 20:27-28

"And whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many."

These words were spoken by Jesus to his disciples. He was showing them that it is more important to serve than to be served. Another important aspect of servant leadership is that of the humble leader. The person who is willing to give it up for the people the person who is will to take a hit or pay the price to save those around them.

Leadership really isn't about being the best or the greatest. It isn't about lording over those around you or puffing up in pride to show how great a leader you are. On the contrary, leadership is about humbling yourself and being willing to go to bat for your people. Jesus ultimately gave His life so that we all could be saved. he paid the ransom note with his life instead of making us take the punishment for our sins.

Leaders in business need to realize that they are their to help the company be successful. If that means taking the heat for something your people did than so be it. Ultimately if you are a leader and you manage others you are responsible for their actions. If they mess up the leader should take responsibility and then make sure the person is properly trained.

Jesus was referring in this verse that those who really want to be great should serve others. Serving is the ultimate gesture to greatness. But serving must also be done with a humble heart and no ulterior motives.

Give your life a ransom for many and serve!!

Questions to ponder:

Who can I serve that will make them a better employee or person?

Do I desire greatness? What can I do to serve?

Lord help me be humble and have a servant attitude.

The Real Superheroes

I have been spending some time examining leadership through the powers of Superheroes. It has been fun and has given me material for a training session on leadership. To finish this series on leadership and superheroes I would like to address those superheroes who live among us.

Back on September 11th 2001 when terrorists flew airplanes into the twin towers those firefighters and policeman who came to the rescue are the true heroes. They unselfishly risked their lives to save others. Maybe you know one of those firefighters or police officers. Firefighters and police officers risk their lives everyday to save others. This is true leadership.

That is what a real superhero does. They give of themselves sacrificially to help others. They lead by doing and not wanting recognition. They humble themselves to make others better.

Are you a super hero leader? Are you the type of leader who is willing to do what it takes to make sure others are successful. Those superhero leaders are servant leaders. I have looked at servant leadership but I only spent one day on servant leadership. It is my belief that it requires a deeper focus.

I am going to spend the next several days taking a closer look at servant leadership. It is the leadership style of Jesus. Sit back and reflect how you can be a servant leader as you read and enjoy my blog.

Investment Property

On my blog this week we are unpacking a great article on the 5 aspects of the heart of a leader. It is a blog written by Ron Edmondson. Here is a link to the original blog please check it out.

5 Aspects of the Heart of a Leader

We are looking at each aspect a little closer. Mr. Edmondson uses the story of Joseph from the old testament to show each aspect. I am expanding on those aspects and challenging you to look at your own heart to see if you do have the heart of a leader.

Today's aspect is Investment. This investment isn't an investment of money but instead is an investment of time and and investment in people. In Edmondson's blog he shows examples of how often Joseph helped people. Investment in others will make you a better person. By investing in those around you it empowers them to be successful.

Who are you investing in? Setting up a mentor/mentee relationship and sharing your wisdom and knowledge with future leaders will strengthen you as a leader. Investing in people is a trait used by servant leaders. It is my opinion that servant leadership is the ultimate leadership style. If you have the aspect of investment you are on your way to becoming a servant leader.

On your leadership journey look around and see where you are making your investments. Are you investing in people and are you investing your time as a change agent.  Make sure you are making the right investments and you will definitely have a heart of a leader.

Please share ways that you are investing your time and investing in people? Make them better and you will be better, now that is leading.

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.