How does the leader-servant management style fit into today’s society?
moving history
America has a rich history that involves hard work, resourcefulness, and a certain entrepreneurial genius. Our forefathers idolized competition, as well as the ability to overcome great obstacles, and likewise, corporate America has traditionally had high expectations for individual contribution and little tolerance for poor performance. Because of this, traditional management teams have adopted an authoritarian perspective: controlling performance, demanding results, withholding information, and promoting loyal servitude. The days of Ebenezer Scrooge (Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol) are long gone. Today’s managers rely on interdependence, team values, and a strong work-life balance. You can develop the skills and techniques to increase your ability to achieve the profile of the successful executive mentioned above; but unsurprisingly, it will require hard work, determination, and many more character qualities.
service leader
The supreme leader is the servant leader. “Servant leadership focuses on greater service to others rather than to oneself.” Although Robert Greenleaf is credited with this phrase in the 1970s, the concept originated thousands of years ago and was recorded in the Bible. Jesus called them [his disciples] gathered together and said: ‘You know that those who are held to be rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. It is not so with you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first will be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'” The point Jesus makes is that the greatest leaders are those who serve the people who report to them. Whether or not you are a religious person, this concept applies and is valid in any business.
- Patience: You have to be able to calmly and contently wait for something without complaining.
- Modesty: There is no room for pride and arrogance here; a modest estimate of its value is key. A humble leader allows others to share in the success rather than heap praise.
- Kindness: People with a good heart, considerate, human and understanding. It’s easy to be around a kind leader; the subordinates of this type of leader feel welcome and considered.
- Goodness: Deliberately choosing good over evil, especially in moral situations. In the presence of genuine kindness, employees can relax and not constantly protect their own interests.
- Fidelity: “To adhere firmly and devotedly to a person, cause, idea, promises, oaths, contracts, treaties or other commitments.” Leaders who are loyal to their subordinates build trust and loyalty within their team.
- Kindness: Being able to calm situations with your less severe or less intense behavior.
- self control: Demonstrate control of their impulses, emotions, desires or actions of their own free will.
- Honesty: Truthfulness and honesty are hard to find in this day and age, but leaders who aren’t misleading or fraudulent, who don’t mislead or mislead employees or customers, build the trust of those around them.
Likewise, certain qualities need to be extracted from your personality. Are you honest enough with yourself to identify any of the following?
- hate: Taking action on your intense anger or animosity towards someone or something.
- Envy: Not content with what you have and resentful of what others have: property, appearance, talent or popularity of others.
- Jealousy: I can’t stand it when others have something you want or feel you deserve.
- selfish ambition: Totally caught up in what is best for you and your comfort to the point that you despise others or advance at the expense of others.
- Sabotage: Deliberately taking action to defeat or disrupt normal operations in a treacherous manner.
- Despotic: Using cruelty, intimidation and aggressive force with subordinates or weaker people.
- causing dissent and factions.
Years of personal investment are needed for these characteristics to mature; a person who lacks these qualities will most likely fail when repeatedly challenged. Applying the servant-leader philosophy requires a commitment to staying focused on others, even when you feel needed, as well as the stamina to stick with your chosen course, even when exhausted or discouraged. It is not an easy road. How much easier it would be for all companies to support this philosophy from the top down, by providing encouragement, tools for success or training; but managers can still be successful simply by working within their circle of influence. Research shows that managers can successfully and independently of a corporation provide this environment for their immediate workforce.
