Servant Leadership is a leadership theory that can be applied to a lot of the great leaders of our time. Servant Leadership is the “need or desire to serve others so that they can develop themselves and therefore perform to meet organizational needs” (Penn State, 2019). Some of the characteristics as they are related to servant leadership are: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building community. (Penn State, 2019) I’ve often thought about what theory of leadership did I fit into. My conclusion: I still don’t know. I see a little bit of me in several theories. For the purpose of this blog I am going to focus on servant leadership and how it applies to me and my leadership abilities. When I think of servant leadership I think of Mother Teresa. In my opinion she is one of the great examples of a servant leader. But how am I like Mother Teresa? I can’t compare myself to her but when I can do is look at some of the characteristics that make up a servant leader and see if they apply to me. I am currently a supervisor at a leading manufacturing company. However, this is only a stepping stone to where I want to go. Some call me crazy but my heart lies in the field of human resources. It is my path to that which has led me to believe that I am in part a servant leader. One characteristic that I take pride in and that most leaders should no matter what theory applies to them is listening. I have always been a great listener and it is through listening that I hear what others are saying. It doesn’t go in one ear and out the other. I hear the good and the bad and it is with that information that I can react. Empathy, this is a tricky characteristic for me. I am empathetic to my subordinates and I get harassed by other supervisors thinking I am soft where they draw the hard line and do not have empathy. But I have found that you need to see the other person’s point of view, that is how you can change things or compromise, instead of a dismissal. Probably one of the most important characteristics for me is the commitment to the growth of people. I am a firm believer in and I strive for the success of those that I work with. It is our employees that will hopefully take over when I am no longer here. I try to make my guys feel as if I am just another team member and I am here to help them succeed in whatever they choose to do. In a way servant leadership works with the Leader-Member exchange theory. The focus is on the relationship between a leader and a follower. I made it clear to all those that work for me that I am here for them not only to help them progress within the company but to use me as a tool for their success. If they need something I do what I can to get it for them or find what information they need. So far my methods have paid off and I hope they continue. I know I would be further in my career had I had a leader that put more effort into being there for me instead of dictating to me what needed to be done. So if you have someone you work for talk with them, hopefully they listen and will want to help you achieve your goals.
Pennsylvania State University. (2019) Psych 485. Servant Leadership: Introduction to Servant Leadership. https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/canvas/sp19/21911–17104/content/11_lesson/printlesson.html