Buffl

Lecture 5

LK
by Linus K.

What is the basic idea of Servant Leadership?

The terminology 'Servant Leadership' became popular in a leadership context after Robert Greenleaf's book, Servant Leadership (1977)


The basic idea of servant leadership: the leader serves the followers (or a cause, which benefits the followers in some way).


Servant leadership emphasizes that leaders be attentive to the concerns of their followers, empathize with them, and nurture them. Servant leaders put followers first, empower them, and help them develop their full personal capacities.


• A leader who embodies this is not leading for reasons of status, wealth, popularity or lust for power. Instead, they want to make a positive difference to the benefit of all - or at least the majority - of followers. Crucially, a servant leader also tends to do this knowingly and willingly at his or her own cost.


Servant leaders place the good of followers over their own self-interests and emphasize follower development (Hale & Fields, 2007). Flanagan Guest Lecture

They demonstrate strong moral behavior toward followers (Graham, 1991; Walumbwa, Hartnell, & Oke, 2010), the organization, and other stakeholders (Ehrhart, 2004).

Practicing servant leadership comes more naturally for some than for others, but everyone can learn to be a servant leader (Spears, 2010).

Although servant leadership is sometimes treated by others as a trait, in our discussion servant leadership is viewed as a set of behaviors. Servant leadership is not a trait, it is a behavior

Servant Leader behaviors (Similar to characteristics)

Servant leaders put followers first, empower them and help them develop their full personal capacities.

This leaders are acting ethical and lead in ways that serve the greater good of the organization, community and society at large

Servant leaders place the good of followers over their own self- interests and emphasize followers development


Conceptualizing

Conceptualizing refers to the servant leader’s thorough understanding of the organization—its purposes, complexities, and mission. (Same as in emotional intelligence approach)

Emotional Healing

Emotional healing involves being sensitive to the personal concerns and well-being of others.

Putting Followers First

Putting others first is the sine qua non of servant leadership—the

defining characteristic.

Helping Followers Grow and Succeed

This behavior refers to knowing followers’ professional or personal goals and helping them to accomplish those aspirations.

Behaving Ethically

Behaving ethically is doing the right thing in the right way. It is holding to strong ethical standards, including being open, honest, and fair with followers. Includes Ethics -> Parallels to Transformational leadership & Authentic leadership

Empowering

Empowering refers to allowing followers the freedom to be independent, make decisions on their own, and be self-sufficient.

Creating Value for the Community

Servant leaders create value for the community by consciously and intentionally giving back to the community. They are involved in local activities and encourage followers to also volunteer for community service. Help the people so they can help themselves. Empowering the people -> Persuasion


Author

Linus K.

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