Five questions about Servant Leaders, part 1
I believe that servant leadership may be a better way to transform the world. I am inspired by the stories of Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Jesus. These people have created hope and action toward important life goals. At the same time, I hope to better understand what servant leadership is, and how I can promote positive change in this world. I pay attention to leadership, and I am aware there is much for me to learn. To that end, I pose five questions (just two today. Part II will complete the discussion) about the nature of servant leadership. Do you have any insight for me?
How do we recognize servant leaders? Servant leaders put other people first; their interest is in building community, not their own portfolios. They are likely to be humble about themselves, while working to strengthen others. How can we tell a servant leader from a pretender? What about the gentle, quiet leader working at a mid-level in an organization – how can we identify a person who is interested in a better world, not just a public relations campaign? If we recognize people with servant leader qualities, we may be able to encourage more of them to use their talents.
How do we develop servant leaders? Since servant leaders are positive forces in the world, how can we encourage more people to act this way? Is there a best way to train servant leaders? I have long held that leaders are not born; they are created out of life experiences and mentorship. I would like to know if servant leaders are inherently good, or if their approach to leading is learned, and what the curriculum looks like. Perhaps a life experience curriculum could be developed; and perhaps mentorship with another servant leader is the best way to develop service leadership.
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Are you an emerging leader? Let's talk about it. Send me a note.
* * * *
Changing careers? Click here to take survey. http://bit.ly/WjESp
How do we recognize servant leaders? Servant leaders put other people first; their interest is in building community, not their own portfolios. They are likely to be humble about themselves, while working to strengthen others. How can we tell a servant leader from a pretender? What about the gentle, quiet leader working at a mid-level in an organization – how can we identify a person who is interested in a better world, not just a public relations campaign? If we recognize people with servant leader qualities, we may be able to encourage more of them to use their talents.
How do we develop servant leaders? Since servant leaders are positive forces in the world, how can we encourage more people to act this way? Is there a best way to train servant leaders? I have long held that leaders are not born; they are created out of life experiences and mentorship. I would like to know if servant leaders are inherently good, or if their approach to leading is learned, and what the curriculum looks like. Perhaps a life experience curriculum could be developed; and perhaps mentorship with another servant leader is the best way to develop service leadership.
* * * *
Are you an emerging leader? Let's talk about it. Send me a note.
* * * *
Changing careers? Click here to take survey. http://bit.ly/WjESp
Posted by Steve Broe at 3/16/2010 1:55 PM 
Categories: transformation, Leadership
Tags: leaders in transition Career Impact Coaching Steve Broe
Categories: transformation, Leadership
Tags: leaders in transition Career Impact Coaching Steve Broe
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