Both local and national news have been reminding us that it is fifty years since one of our great leaders; President John F. Kennedy had his life taken. John F. Kennedy comes to the minds of many when we are asked to reflect on a great leader. Undoubtedly, Kennedy was a leader of, and for the people.
History represents his leadership style as democratic, which means his decisions were based on the approval of the people. There are several other leadership styles that may be used to describe Kennedy such as Transformational and behavioral, but the most representative is that of a servant leader.
Robert K. Greenleaf developed the concept of servant leadership from insight he gained from reading Herman Hesse’s (1956) novel The Journey to the East (Northouse, 2013, p221). To further help us understand the concept, Spears (2002) identified the ten major characteristics of servant leadership which are listening, empathy, healing relationships, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and commitment to building a community (Northouse, 2013, p222.)
Servant leaders serve their group by working on their behalf to help them achieve their goals. An example of Kennedy as a servant leader is where he took vigorous action in the cause of equal rights – he called for new civil rights legislation. Kennedy created an environment of comfort for Americans. His vision extended the quality of the national culture and the central role of the arts in a vital society, bringing America into a new era.
You cannot write about John F. Kennedy without mentioning his famous words, “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This historical statement emphasizes the “building community” characteristic that Spears (2002) identified as one of the 10 characteristics of servant leadership. The community in this case is our fellow citizens who all share in the same interest of the greater good for our country. As a servant leader, Kennedy wanted to build community, our country, and provide a place where everyone would feel safe and connected. He had a strong commitment to his followers. Transformational and behavioral styles also take consideration of the follower into the leadership theory but John F. Kennedy was a true Servant Leader.
What has been learned about servant leadership is that it most likely “improves outcomes at the individual, organizational, and societal levels.” (Northouse, 2013, p232) For many reasons it is unfortunate that the presidency and leadership of John F. Kennedy was not of a longer duration; being a case study for servant leadership is certainly one of them.
References
“John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address”, Bartleby, Retrieved November 14, 2013. http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres56.html
Northouse, P. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice, 6th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Nun2Day says
I whole heartedly agree with your view of Kennedy as a servant leader. I arrived in this world when Kennedy was no longer here, but through stories from family, school lessons and many PBS documentaries I respect and admire the man he was.
Northouse (2013) lists conceptualizing, emotional healing, putting followers first, helping followers grow/succeed, behaving ethically, empowering, and creating value for the community as the behaviors of servant leadership. From what I have learned about Kennedy over the years I would say that he embodied those behaviors.
It’s unfortunate that he did not live long enough for us to determine the full scope of his servant leadership outcomes which are “follower performance and growth, organizational performance and societal impact” (Northouse, 2013). I know he put programs of service in place, made some headway in foreign relationships and was interested in creating equality for blacks, but many of his objectives were interrupted.
Although his presidency was short lived he is still an excellent case study for servant leadership. I believe had he lived, as a nation, we would be much better than we are.
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice Sixth Edition. Washington, DC: Sage
Publications Inc.
JENNIFER ROSANN FUNK says
I liked your post and enjoyed your take on JFK. He did use the servant leadership approach in his fight for equality. He wanted to create a world where opportunity could be felt by all, an inclusive society. It’s a shame the he died fighting for the rights of others. His personal life was a bit questionable, but the public was drawn to his power of persuasion. President Kennedy was viewed as American royalty.
Other accomplishments held by JFK during his term:
* created the Peace Corps, which sends thousands of volunteers around the world.
* Cuban missile crisis that diverted a nuclear war with the Soviet Union and removed missiles form Cuba.
* secured a treaty limiting nuclear tests performed by the Soviet Union.
* the Area Redevelopment Act, which helped states reduce high unemployment rates through job creation.
* promotion of the arts.
* prohibited discrimination in the sale or lease of housing that was financed by federally guaranteed loans or properties owned by the federal government.
He will be remembered not just for his words, but his actions.