Characteristics of Servant Leadership
Running head: Characteristics of Servant Leadership
Characteristics of Servant Leadership
Kimetha F. Spoon
Grand Canyon University
MGT 420 Organizational Behavior & Management
January 30, 2011
Characteristics of Servant Leadership When one hears the term servant, it is usually associated with the Bible since it clearly indicates that all Disciples of Christ or believers are servants. Servant is defined as “a person working in the service of another”. When Robert K. Greenleaf first defined the phrase “Servant Leadership” he pointed out that the difference between it and leader was “a servant aspiring to serve and taking up leadership as result” (Greenleaf, 1977). Leader is defined as a person who rules or guides or inspires others. Being considered as a servant first, a servant leader’s priority is to lead in a way that they are serving others by developing them as well as giving their undivided attention to their colleagues and those they serve (Spears, 1998). Taking into consideration Greenleaf’s characteristics of servant leadership and the Biblical doctrine as well other philosophies, we will explore the idea that the Servant Leadership is “compatible with most religions and theories of philosophy.” 1 Peter 4:10-11 suggests that everyone has the gift to be a servant and as good stewards it should be used to serve one another. One of the most interesting characteristics that comes to the forefront in Greenleaf’s essay, it is the wish to help others. The leadership is secondary and the main focus here is on the needs of others which is one way to distinguish servant- leaders from all other leaders. Greenleaf includes other characteristics that are important in the Servant Leadership such as listening and understanding; acceptance and empathy; foresight; awareness and perception; persuasion; conceptualization; self-healing; and rebuilding community (Spears, 1998). One could say that the characteristics are important
Characteristics of Servant Leadership
Kimetha F. Spoon
Grand Canyon University
MGT 420 Organizational Behavior & Management
January 30, 2011
Characteristics of Servant Leadership When one hears the term servant, it is usually associated with the Bible since it clearly indicates that all Disciples of Christ or believers are servants. Servant is defined as “a person working in the service of another”. When Robert K. Greenleaf first defined the phrase “Servant Leadership” he pointed out that the difference between it and leader was “a servant aspiring to serve and taking up leadership as result” (Greenleaf, 1977). Leader is defined as a person who rules or guides or inspires others. Being considered as a servant first, a servant leader’s priority is to lead in a way that they are serving others by developing them as well as giving their undivided attention to their colleagues and those they serve (Spears, 1998). Taking into consideration Greenleaf’s characteristics of servant leadership and the Biblical doctrine as well other philosophies, we will explore the idea that the Servant Leadership is “compatible with most religions and theories of philosophy.” 1 Peter 4:10-11 suggests that everyone has the gift to be a servant and as good stewards it should be used to serve one another. One of the most interesting characteristics that comes to the forefront in Greenleaf’s essay, it is the wish to help others. The leadership is secondary and the main focus here is on the needs of others which is one way to distinguish servant- leaders from all other leaders. Greenleaf includes other characteristics that are important in the Servant Leadership such as listening and understanding; acceptance and empathy; foresight; awareness and perception; persuasion; conceptualization; self-healing; and rebuilding community (Spears, 1998). One could say that the characteristics are important
References: Blanchard, K (2002) Focus on Leadership: Servant Leadership for the 21st Century. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Greenleaf, R.K. (1977). Servant-Leadership: A Journey Into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press. Holy Bible: The New American Bible. (1970). Wichita: Catholic Bible Publishers Spears, L.C. (Ed.). (1998). Insights on Leadership: Service, Stewardship, Spirit and Servant-Leadership. New York: John Wiley & Sons. World Scriptures, (n.d) Retrieved January 28, 2011 from http://www.unification.net/ws/theme138.htm Sikhism Beliefs, (n.d.) Retrieved January 28, 2011 from www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2001/06/What-Sikhs-Believe.aspx