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Servant Leadership: A Leadership Oxymoron

Author: Samantha Humphrey
by Samantha Humphrey
Posted: Sep 03, 2021

Robert K. Greenleaf wrote an essay called "The Servant as a Leader" in 1970. The term "servant leadership" was coined for the first time during this event. Traditional leadership methods that place a higher focus on authoritarian ties between employers and employees piqued Robert Greenleaf's interest.

You are a "servant first" leader if you prioritize the needs of others, especially your team members, over your own. You value others' opinions, provide them the assistance they need to achieve their professional and personal goals, include them in decision-making when appropriate, and build a sense of community among your team members.

Servant leadership is not a leadership style or technique in and of itself. Rather, it is a manner of acting that you cultivate through time. It is similar to transformational leadership, which is often the most effective style to use in commercial contexts, and it compliments democratic leadership types.

How Effective is The Servant Leadership Style?

Servant leadership aims to move management and employee contact away from "controlling activities" and toward a more collaborative connection.

Servant leadership tries to develop leadership skills in others. Empathy, listening, stewardship, and a dedication to others' personal growth are all required skills for this leadership style.

The servant-leader is driven by the rewards of their service to others, as opposed to the leader-first dynamic, which is motivated by a personal desire for power. Before attaining a position of power, a servant leader can evaluate how their actions benefit individuals who are marginalized or of lower economic standing. Their advancement to positions of leadership occurs as a result of their commitment to service.

The leader-first dynamic is motivated by a personal desire for power, the servant leader is motivated by the benefits of their service to others. For instance, a servant leader may pause to consider how their efforts benefit those who are marginalised or of lower economic status prior to pursuing a position of control. Their advancement to positions of leadership occurs as a result of their commitment to service.

This is evident in the healthcare industry, where physicians endeavour to help their patients while also assisting their colleagues and teams in providing treatment. This can entail ensuring that their service helps employees, consumers, and all other stakeholders in the business sector.

To read the full article you can visit https://xmonks.com/servant-leadership-a-leadership-oxymoron-xmonks/

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Author: Samantha Humphrey

Samantha Humphrey

Member since: Aug 31, 2021
Published articles: 15

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