Are you a servant leader?
After skimming through some articles in Google, I came across this peice written by Dennis Coday for the National Catholic Reporter. He asks, "What is servant leadership?" Does it only apply to those at the bishops and pastors? The congregation? Everyone in the church has some responsibility and leadership role, including those who attend.
Taking this idea and moving away from the spiritual structure, is it possible to be a servant leader in an everyday setting?
A servant is defined as:
Main Entry: ser·vant
Function: noun
: a person who serves others: as a : an individual who performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer b : a person in the employ and subject to the direction or control of an individual or company —see also RESPONDEAT SUPERIOR —compare AGENT, MASTER Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
In my daily life, I try to fully understand the needs of others and help set a positive example by taking initative whether it is in a class project, or guiding a group of individuals for a volunteer activity. But what IS servant leadership to you? To me a servant leader is not like the standard leader or thought of as a "figurehead" but one who builds quality relationships by emphasizing trust, empathy and sympathy with his or her followers, not subordinates.
Great servant leaders are great followers, but is every great follower a leader?
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Great points. Absolutely. Leadership serves to inspire others. There is no other role.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, too many find leadership a reward for their endeavors. Leadership is not a title earned, but an action performed.