Servant Leadership Contemporary Leadership Theory

What is it? Primary responsibility is to provide service to others Emphasizes Service to others Holistic approach to work Sense of community Shared decision making power “At its core, servant leadership is a long-term, transformational approach to life and work, in essence, a way of being that has the potential to create a positive change throughout society”

10 Characteristics of Servant Leadership Listening Empathy Healing Awareness Persuasion Conceptualization Foresight Stewardship Commitment to growth of people Building a community

Comparison of Leadership TheoriesTransformational leadershipServant Leadership Source of charismaLeader training and skillsHumility, spiritual insight Situational contextHierarchal powerMutual power Nature of charismatic giftVision for organizationVision and practice a way of life focused on service Response of followersHeightened motivation, extra effortEmulation of leader’s service orientation Consequences of charismaLeader or organization goals met, personal development of followers Autonomy and moral development of followers, enhancement of common good Applicability to work organizationsYes

“The ultimate test of a Servant Leader is whether those being served were likely to become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants”- Robert Greenleaf