Psc410 Full Course [ All Discussions and All Weeks Assignments Except Week 10

1. What is the historical basis of servant leadership? What are the unique, underlying values of his perspective?

Provide a logical discussion of the potential synergies that may exist between leadership styles and how you can capitalize on them to increase productivity.

Servant leadership, as it applies to the modern world, is a concept that Robert Greenleaf defined in his influential 1970 essay, The Servant as Leader. Greenleaf’s essay explains that servant leadership is an amalgam of concrete leadership styles and “fragments of data” that came to him through “intuitive insight” (1970). Having worked at AT&T from 1926-1964, he accumulated a number of leadership qualities throughout his professional career. After retirement he began teaching at Harvard Business School, but became distressed by younger generations and their rebellious attitudes. After careful consideration, he decided institutions were doing a poor job of serving, so they were doing a poor job of leading. His

Many have developed elements that they believe are the foundation of servant leadership. In summary, included in the fundamentals are healing, creating value for community, empowering, empathy, listening, awareness, behaving ethically, and helping others grow and succeed. Healing refers to leaders trying to help solve problems and relationships. Creating value for community refers to leaders serving as an example and encouraging others to also serve the community. Empowering refers to leaders providing followers with autonomy. Empathy refers to leaders understanding others. Listening is a trait all leaders should possess. In order to understand, one should first listen. Awareness refers to leaders attentive to the things happening around them. Behaving ethically refers to the demonstrating of integrity to gain the trust of followers. Helping others grow and succeed refers to leaders providing support to followers to help them develop and accomplish professional and personal goals.

Finally, this paper will address how the practice of servant leadership would affect everyone from the lowest enlisted men to the most senior flag officer and everyone else in-between. Leadership goes well beyond the following definition: “Leadership is the art of influencing and directing people in such a way as to obtain their willing obedience, confidence, respect and cooperation.” In fact, when it comes right down to it, “there are no quick and easy answers to becoming an effective and efficient leader.” Leadership is difficult and enduring work. It is a lifelong process of building and molding not only your skills but also the skills of your subordinates. In a society of instant gratification, we look for the quick fix. Yet the problem is the quick fix or plug and play solution, rarely serves the long-term goals of an organization.

Servant leadership can be defined as the skill of empowering others towards a common goal through service to them (Hunter, 2014). The theory of servant leadership was initially written about by Greanleaf in the 1970s even though it has existed for hundreds of years (Parris and Peachey, 2012). Greanleaf believed that servant leadership was brought about by individuals reflecting on personal growth rather than providing a step by step manual on how to be a servant leader (Parris and Peachey, 2012). More recent researchers include in the definition of leadership various attributes such as altruistic calling, service, empowerment,

Moreover, while taking the Leadership Foundations Class, there were many lessons that provided me with tools to be an efficient leader. However, when my teacher exposed the class to servant leadership, I immediately took interest in it. At this moment, I finally directed my leadership to embody the qualities of a servant leader. Some of which include: acting with humility, encouraging the new generation of young leaders, valuing diverse opinions, and serving others before

When Keith talks about the servant leadership, I understand, what he means when he says leadership starts with a desire to serve (1). Serving others shows that we want to make a difference in someone else’s life. It also shows that it is universal and very important in everyone’s culture and religion.

Leadership and management for many go hand in hand, and may be perceived as one in the same. In the book titled, The Servant (1998), James C. Hunter challenged this mainstream view, and literally turned this concept, which so many are coached on, upside-down. The notions of what characterizes a virtuous leader, as well as what it means to serve others, are the primary focal points of Hunter’s book. He did an eloquent job of revealing his theory concerning effective leadership by using an allegorical approach which, made the content easier to digest and much more personable. The Servant deeply resonated with me, and I gained significant value from the attitudes Hunter presented which, I can apply to my schooling, personal life, and future career paths. I was also able to discern what I felt to be applicable elements regarding the mark of a worthy leader, and arrived at my own theories.

Throughout my time at Troy University, I have learned a great deal about people, subjects, and myself. I have had great successes and days full of light and celebration. However, I have also made mistakes, which have left me with nights characterized by regret and darkness. These experiences, both good and bad, taught me a great deal about life and gave me a deeper understanding of the world. I write this paper in order to impart whatever wisdom I have collected in my twenty years upon this earth. To begin with, I shall say what my definition of leadership is. Chancellor Hawkins once told my leadership class that “Leadership is the management of hope.” This is a definition that I have chosen to adopt as my own. However, this definition does not completely tell a person what the components of leadership are. For me, there are five core components of good servant leadership: love, integrity, balance, appreciation for diversity, and confidence.

Leadership and management for many go hand in hand, and may be perceived as one in the same. In the book titled, The Servant (1998), James C. Hunter challenged this mainstream view, and literally turned this concept, which so many are coached on, upside-down. The notions of what characterizes a virtuous leader, as well as what it means to serve others, are the primary focal points of Hunter’s book. He did an eloquent job of revealing his theory concerning effective leadership by using an allegorical approach which, made the content easier to digest and much more personable. The Servant deeply resonated with me, and I gained significant value from the attitudes Hunter presented which, I can apply to my schooling, personal life, and future career paths. I was also able to discern what I felt to be more or less applicable, and reasonable, elements regarding the mark of a worthy leader.

The paradox of servant leadership is defined in the essence of servant. Often times a servant was pushed to the bottom and not asked their opinion nonetheless to lead. Helping people and caring are not a typical idea of leadership. A leader has been thought of as one who tells you what to do or has little to no contact

Challenges in the life of a leader are many. These are storms we must face to rise to greater heights. We must be leaders rising to higher altitude as we take the challenges on in meekness. Do not be afraid but be in prayer and never run way from it. Handling

At first, I volunteered to appease my parents and to meet the various service requirements for clubs, and after a few years, I understood the importance of giving back to your community, but it wasn’t until later that I realized the importance of service in leadership. The saying “with great power comes great responsibility” comes to mind when thinking about the servant component in servant leadership. I interpret this to mean that if you have influence, it is your duty to use it to benefit the community. Part of leadership is leading by example; if the leader value the needs of others before their own and regularly prioritizes giving back to their community, others might be more likely to follow. Another part of servant leadership is using the resources available and one’s influence to positively impact the

What is a serving society and does that concept embrace spirituality? Does the fact of incorporating spirituality into an organization or a workplace provide healthier and more effective employees? How does the concept of a serving society and an organization that incorporates spirituality into its mission relate to Robert Greenleaf's servant leadership model? These questions and issues are reviewed and critiqued in this paper.