Servant Leadership

Contents

1. Introduction 2

2. What is Leadership 2

2.1 Participative Leadership Style 3

2.2 Authoritarian Leadership Style 3

2.3 Laissez-Faire Leadership Style 3

2.4 Transformational Leadership Style 4

2.5 Servant Leadership Style 4

3. Applying Servant Leadership in the Workplace 4

4. Ten Characteristics of a Servant Leader 6

4.1. Listening 6

4.2. Empathy 6

4.3. Healing 6

4.4. Awareness 6

4.5. Persuasion 7

4.6. Conceptualization 7

4.7. Foresight 7

4.8. Stewardship 7

4.9. Commitment to the growth of people 7

4.10. Building Community 8

5. Conclusion 8

6. Reference 9

1. Introduction

The term servant-leadership was first coined by Greenleaf (1904–1990) in a 1970 essay titled "The Servant as Leader." Since that time, more than half a million copies of his books and essays have been sold worldwide. Greenleaf spent most of his organizational life in the field of management research, development, and education at AT&T. Following a 40-year career at AT&T, Greenleaf enjoyed a second career that lasted 25 years, during which time he served as an influential consultant to a number of major institutions. In 1964 Greenleaf also founded the Center for Applied Ethics, which was renamed the Robert K. Greenleaf Center in 1985 and is now headquartered in Indianapolis.

Leadership is currently one of the most talked about issues in business and organisation. There is a rapid shift in many businesses and organisations in moving away from the more traditional command leadership towards servant leadership as a way of being in relationship with others. Servant leadership seeks to involve others in decision making. It is strongly based on ethical and caring behaviour and enhances the growth of workers while improving the quality of organizational life. Servant-leadership places the good of those led over the self-interest of the leader.

2. What is Leadership

Smith (n.d.: 1) defines leadership as " Leadership is the ability to...