Robert K. Greenleaf's View Of Servant Leadership

In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus is talking with his disciples and explaining that the world’s view of authority is those that “lord” power over others. Jesus poignantly tells his disciples, “Not so with you”. He goes on to say that “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be 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” (Mark 10:44-45, KJV). The Christ-centered, biblical, servant leader embraces acts of service, welcomes criticism, seeks to transform themselves and is not afraid to serve with their hearts by elevating and edifying others (Liberty University, 2017B). As Christ tells us that our role is different that …show more content…
Robert K. Greenleaf’s definition of servant leadership is one which is based on teamwork and community while seeking to involve others in the decision making and is strongly based in ethical and caring behavior while enhancing the growth of people (Spears, 1996). Greenleaf even lists his view of the characteristics of a servant leader to include: (1) Listening: leaders have been valued for their communication and listening skills-the servant leader seeks to identify the will of the group by listening receptively, (2) Empathy: people need to be accepted for their unique and special spirits, (3) Healing: servant leaders realize they have an opportunity to help make whole those they lead, (4) Awareness: general awareness and self-awareness strengthen the servant leader, (5) Persuasion: convincing others instead of coercing them, (6) Conceptualization: nurturing abilities in the ones they lead to “dream great dreams”, (7) Foresight: understanding the lessons of the past, realities of the present, and consequences of the future decisions, (8) Stewardship: holding in trust something dear to another, (9) Commitment to the growth of people, and (10) Building community: building and creating something special in those that work within today’s institutions (Spears, 2004). Some leadership theorist can even quantify with diagrams and tables of what servant leadership …show more content…
Khalib Fischer of Liberty University stated that “leadership theorists are infatuated with ideas of leadership, but not a Christ-centered leadership” (2017A). While Greenleaf’s ideals are sound ethical teaching, do they truly “line up” with scripture in God’s order? For Greenleaf, the call to “serve first” is attributed to serving others, but Christians must understand the Greatest Commandment outlines the order of service, which is to serve God first, then others (Duby, 2009). Still we are fallen human beings are constant challenges will remain in maintaining the correct order of service. The key challenges of being a servant leader is (1) the need for recognition, (2) letting your career become your idol, and (3) being a workaholic who thinks everyone else is not as smart in whatever you are currently doing (Fischer, 2017B). There are four domains of leading like Jesus, called the (1) Heart, or leadership viewpoints, the (2) Head, which is internal desired kept until further disclosure, (3) Hands, which is public behavior, and (4) Habits which is how you renew your daily commitment to serve (Liberty University, n.d.). When these 4 domains are aligned in the servant leader, then trust is the result. “Not so with you” Christ says, or more applicably, “Not so with the servant leader”. This means the world’s ways are not the servant leader’s ways. Andy Stanley has said “Leadership is a stewardship, it is temporary, and the leader is accountable to those he leads, as well