from The Power of Servant Leadership, Robert K. Greenleaf, 1998
The servant-leader is servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.
Servant-leadership advocates a group-oriented approach to analysis and decision making as a means of strengthening institutions and of improving society. It also emphasizes the power of persuasion and seeking consensus over the old “top-down” form of leadership.
10 characteristics of the servant-leader :
Listening : the servant-leader seeks to identify the will of a group and helps it clarify that will.
Empathy : the servant-leader strives to understand and empathize with others. People need to be recognized for their special and unique spirits.
Healing : the healing of relationships is a powerful force for transformation and integration. One of the great strengths of servant-leadership is the potential of healing one’s self and one’s relationship to others, in search of wholeness
Awareness : general awareness and especially self-awareness leads to being able to view most situations from a more integrated, holistic position.
Persuasion : the servant-leader is effective at building consensus within groups through persuasion rather than coercion.
Conceptualization : servant-leaders seek to nurture their abilities to “dream great dreams”. The ability to look at a problem beyond day-to-day realities. Conceptualization is, by its very nature, the proper role of boards of trustees or directors.
Foresight : foresight is the characteristic that enables the servant-leader to understand the lessons from the past, the realities of the present and the likely consequence of a decision for the future. It is also deeply rooted within the intuitive mind.
Stewardship : the servant-leader plays a significant role in holding an institution in trust for the greater good of society, a commitment to serving the needs of others.
Commitment to the growth of people : the servant leader takes a personal interest in the ideas and suggestions from everyone, encouraging worker involvement in decision making
Building community : a servant-leader suggests that true community can be created among those who work in businesses and other institutions.