COVID-19 changed the world as we knew it. Without a warning, many businesses and organizations were forced to face unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic. Military operations worldwide were no exception, and amidst the crisis many commands were able to undergo profound transformations. Adaptation became the basis for success, and between the chaos, servant leadership merged as a guiding principle, ensuring the well-being of troops while maintaining operational readiness.
One innovative approach that my leadership implemented was split shifts organized into gold and black teams. This strategy allowed for the continuity of critical operations while minimizing the risk of viral transmission. Servant leaders recognized the importance of maintaining a balance between fulfilling mission objectives and safeguarding the health of their personnel. As our textbook has noted, the servant leadership method primarily focuses on leaders prioritizing their follower’s needs (Northouse, 2021). Commanders delegated the responsibility of devising schedules to each flight commander with the caveat that each team be ensured adequate rest periods for troops while optimizing operational efficiency. By prioritizing the needs and safety of their teams, these leaders demonstrated a commitment to servant leadership principles, fostering a culture of trust and support.
With traditional face-to-face interactions restricted, military units turned to virtual platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom for professional development sessions. Servant leaders seized this opportunity to foster camaraderie and skill enhancement among their troops, despite the physical distance. Servant leaders place an emphasis on their followers to grow and succeed (Northouse, 2021). Through engaging in virtual workshops and seminars, leaders encouraged continuous learning and skill development. By leveraging technology, they ensured that troops remained connected, motivated, and prepared for evolving challenges. This emphasis on professional growth exemplifies the servant leadership ethos of investing in the development and well-being of others.
Accountability is important in the military. To maintain accountability amidst remote work arrangements presented a unique challenge during the pandemic. Servant leaders, however, rose to the occasion by implementing robust accountability mechanisms. Our unit did it with the help of the application Slack. Dail morning check-ins via slack became the norm, providing leaders with valuable insights into the well-being and readiness of their teams. These brief yet impactful interactions fostered a sense of belonging and accountability, ensuring that every member felt valued. Moreover, servant leaders prioritized open communication channels, encouraging troops to voice concerns and share information with the group. By giving every member of the organization the power to share news and information, our leadership placed importance on open communication and the ability to listen to the needs of followers such as our textbook suggests (Northouse, 2021). By actively listening and responding to the needs of their teams, leaders fostered a culture of resilience and adaptability, essential traits in navigating uncertain times.
In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of servant leadership in military operations. Through initiatives like split shifts, Zoom meetings for professional development, and daily accountability measures, servant leaders demonstrated unwavering commitment to their troops’ well-being and mission success. This experience highlighted how the principles of servant leadership will remain invaluable in guiding military organizations towards resilience, cohesion, and excellence.
References:
Northouse, P.G. (2021). Leadership: Theory & Practice (9th e.d.). SAGE Publishing.
Covid was a wild time indeed! That was a time when servant leadership was needed more than ever. I feel that giving someone a voice is invaluable! We all want to be heard and understood. I know when I am n any group, having an input, whether used or not, helps me feel more involved and more motivated. I also feel safe and validated, which helps set he stage for leadership to be effective. In our text, I found that “building community” was a key characteristic of a servant leader and it allowed followers to “feel a sense of unity and relatedness” as well as to create “a place where people can feel safe and connected with others” (Northouse, 2021). This echoes my comments about how leadership can be done more effectively when considering bringing people together and inviting them into decisions and conversations about a groups goals. By giving the troops this outlet, servant leadership was able to thrive as they were in an environment that gave them freedom of expression and the ability to feel accepted and valued as a result, especially when everything was going wrong around them. Thank you so much for sharing!
References
Northouse, P.G. (2021). Leadership: Theory & Practice (9th e.d.). SAGE Publishing.