Reading about servant leadership style was a real breath of fresh air for me. This entire semester we have spent time reading and analyzing types of leadership that are may be complex in theory but basically focus on what we might expect a leader to look like. Someone who is in charge, someone who tells people what to do, someone that other people literally “follow”.
What a unique idea in management! You mean to tell me that if I disagree with you, as my manager, you want to tell you I think your wrong and do things my own way. The answer is, as long as it’s helping me progress to my goal in a positive way, then yes! My management team gives me full creative reign. They tell me, we hired you because we trust your ability to do this job at a high level, and we trust your decisions. I think this fits perfectly into servant leadership style. The focus is on my personal growth first, while my manager focuses on building a team of great, independent people.
This may not be the “norm” yet, but I think that with technology growing at unprecedented rates we are likely to see more companies that manage this way. Less of a carrot and stick style, and more of an intrinsic, fulfilling style. Companies like Google, Facebook, Apple, etc. are making changes to the old corporate world and I think this new leadership style is great.
JOSHUA DONALD KRATZ says
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I enjoyed your blog post and your comparisons and examples within a workforce. I have not had the opportunity to apply such teachings within such a higher level of employment, so your point of view was quite unique. Unfortunately, my past lower level employment accounts dealt a lot with the previous styles of leadership, such as the situational approach and certain aspects of power and influence theories, as mentioned in previous lessons (Penn State World Campus, 2013). I really hope to have the opportunity someday to work for a company with the approach such as the latterly mentioned organization. I always remember a quote I read one time that stated you should always approach controversial situations with empathetic tendencies, and present your point of view in a proper and respectful way, therefore having the reaction reciprocated.
I agree with your belief that more companies should and will begin applying said servant leadership approach within their organizations, therefore possibly lowering turnover rates, as well as raising morale and attraction. Other perspectives always have the possibility for innovation. Innovation will hopefully open doors to the individual AND the organization, which shows obvious benefits and positives. Another thing to note is how one of servant leadership’s strengths is it’s ability to apply ethical standards to the idea of leadership, and I feel this is a primary reason this approach to leadership could be quite successful in the workplace (Penn State World Campus, 2013).
References
PSU World Campus (2013). PSYCH 485 Lesson 5: Style and Situational Approaches. Retrieved on March 28, 2013, from https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/sp13/psych485/003/content/5_lesson/03_page.html
PSU World Campus (2013). PSYCH 485 Lesson 7: Power and Influence. Retrieved on March 28, 2013, from https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/sp13/psych485/003/content/7_lesson/03_page.html
PSU World Campus (2013). PSYCH 485 Lesson 11: Servant Leadership. Retrieved on March 28, 2013, from https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/sp13/psych485/003/content/11_lesson/03_page.htmloel,