Servant Leadership and Your True Potential

In preparing for a speech, I spent some time reviewing the principles of servant leadership. Actually, several years ago I took part in Scottsdale Leadership, and servant leadership is their model, so this was not entirely new.

When I reviewed what the Alliance for Servant Leadership, based at Indiana State University, had to say about it, it was very clear that these principles mirrored my own approach to Personal Transformation and Authentic Leadership, which is this:

Personal Transformation involves becoming self-aware so you can make conscious choices that support what you wish to create, rather than react based on fear, erroneous judgments or cynical thinking. The goal of personal transformation work is to erase the limited, inauthentic thoughts and behaviors that keep you stuck and not performing at your best by guiding you to return to your authentic self where your gifts, talents and highest level of creativity and intelligence are located.

Authentic Leadership is the outcome of personal transformation work combined with the knowledge of how to apply this work in leading and working with others toward a common goal. Personal transformation and authentic leadership are complementary and synergistic. You need one to have the other. These two process form the foundation of my work and offerings.

Here are the servant leadership guiding principles:

• Principle #1: Transformation

  Servant-leaders embrace transformation as the process through which people and institutions develop improved and innovative ways to meet their needs. They are particularly sensitive to the challenges of change and attempt to create circumstances where people are free to respond authentically, accepting honest mistakes and celebrating genuine efforts. The servant-leader recognizes that solutions emerge because of the process. Problems are viewed as opportunities to become aware of our limits and rediscover our authentic selves in the search for better directions.

  Principle #2: Personal Growth

  The servant-leader acknowledges that the organization’s capacity to provide for the liberation of human potential is the cornerstone for success. A commitment to holistic growth and development of every person means that the servant-leader ensures that the organization has structures, programs, and activities where everyone can grow. He or she accepts the need to create awareness, even when it disturbs more than it comforts.

  Principle #3: Enabling Environments

  Servant-leaders promote work environments where individuals can be accepted, authentic, honest, listened to, and productive. They understand that the organization’s potential is based on how well it helps people reach their capabilities.

  Principle #4: Service

  The servant-leader serves the institution by holding its future in trust. The servant-leader also seeks to provide direction and vision for the future of community, assuring that it meets the needs of people as well as those of the organization.

  Principle #5: Trusting Relationships

  The foundation of relationships is not based on organizational position but on a concern for others that is characterized by acceptance, trust, civility, reciprocity, respect, and collegiality. The servant-leader is absolutely inclusive of all people. The servant-leader seeks to understand others first before seeking to be understood themselves and models these values in their own actions. 

  Principle #6: Creating Commitment

  Leaders are those who champion meaningful visions and encourage people to commit their best to achieve them. Persuasive power is the preferred mode of influence. Decisions are reached through collaboration and open communication. Effectiveness is developed through enabling others to act. People should be directly involved in the discussions about the needs and directions of the community.

  Principle #7: Community-building

  Effective teamwork is a preferred approach, where individuals work together, complementing each others’ strengths and weaknesses. Servant-leaders are actively involved in the life of the community, modeling personal skills, setting examples, and developing everyone’s comfort level with a participatory approach to community efforts.

  Principle #8: Nurturing the Spirit

• The servant-leader is someone who understands the deep human need to contribute to personally meaningful enterprises. He or she nurtures the individual’s spirit through honest praise and supportive recognition. Criticisms and suggestions are not personal or harsh. The joy of work is celebrated both daily and in special events that acknowledge the value of human commitment to worthwhile work. The community is reminded to reflect on the importance of its struggles and successes.

It is very clear they are grounded in our higher human values -- love, compassion, cooperation and reverence for life. When people are treated in this way -- when we see our purpose as service and base our interactions with others out of personal transformation and authentic leadership -- great things can be accomplished.

True Potential Tip

When you consider your own leadership opportunities, how do your practices and processes compare? Is there anything here that you could use to create a more fulfilling and successful experience for yourself and those you lead?

Love,

Andrea