In such a corrupt world, there is the need for laws and enforcement of those laws. It is expected that those put in positions to keep those safe, such as politicians, police officers, and firefighters, are actually putting others before themselves, but this is not always the case. Unfortunately, there are many in these types of positions who hold their positions because of gaining income (which is of course of importance) but do not have a strong passion for people. This brings to the case the theory of servant leadership.
Northouse (2013) defines servant leadership as emphasizing that leaders be attentive to the concerns of their followers, empathize with them, and nurture them. Those who are truly servant leaders have the best interest of their followers at heart and are able to help them and lift them up, selflessly. Because politicians, police officers, and firefighters are all considered community and national leaders of our country, it is important that those are are put into these positions have characteristics of being a servant leader. Although some may argue that we may not be “followers” that does not take away from the leadership impact that they have.
Although Northouse (2013) lists 10 characteristics of servant leadership (p. 221), 5 that I feel are of the most important for political and community leaders are stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, listening, empathy, and awareness. Collectively, all of these make the leader aware of their positions, aware of their impact, and ready to commit to the growth of those they are called to lead.
In a perfect world, instead of politicians having hidden agendas, there only agenda would be the one they were voted into: leading others and having a positive impact on our communities, states, and country as a whole. If more leaders truly led due to their passion of people and encompassed many servant leadership characteristics, we would have a better nation.
Reference:
Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Jee Sun Moon says
I definitely agree with you about the politicians. I was also thinking the authentic leadership goes along the same line. The concept of authentic leadership also rose “as a result of leadership failures in the public and private sectors” (Northouse, 2013, p.282). Politicians should see the authentic action wheel developed by Robert Terry. This approach emphasizes the diagnosis of problems and the identification of solutions. From Terry’s perspective, problems fall into six categories, which are mission, power, structure, resources, existence, and meaning. I remember one of my friends said that politicians are just power-driven creatures. To keep their power, they would do anything. According to the wheel, I would say the problems of politicians are meaning and mission. Meaning describes “guiding values, principles and ethics” and “mission is about “goals, objectives and desires” (Northouse, 2013, p.256). Politicians should set their guiding values to more ethical values and their missions should be the welfare of the country not the personal interest like keeping their authority.
Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.