October 20,

KOTUNDAAN OM KOBUON MAZA PINAAGAT OM KABAAN – JKKK KG.KIBABAIG

2010

NEWSLETTER 10/1/2010

The concepts of servant leadership – gleanings from the internets and some fine
tuning from the Lord Holy Spirit.
Understanding the concepts of servant leader is the first step toward becoming
one. While we may understand these concepts, we should realize that there is
more to it. We must put the characteristics and principles into practice. All
too often, however, the cultural ideals of success and power often taint our
thoughts and motives.

Self-awareness is vital in any type of leadership. It is especially helpful,

however, in servant leadership. It’s one thing for the cultural concepts of
leadership to be present in my life and work, but becoming aware of its
presence is vital to learning to combat those tendencies.

For example, a servant leader isn’t one to be concerned with the need for
position or title. He is secure enough in his influence as a leader. We,
however, have often spent a great deal of time and energy in an attempt to
prove ourselves as one worthy of leadership and more responsibility. Insecure
in our own influence, We tend to look to others for affirmation causing our
pride to take quite a few knocks. Being aware of this tendency helps us to
remember to keep our priorities in line. If we believe that the work is the
greater good, then our title or position shouldn’t matter.

This is where the tension between the servant part of leadership meets the
leadership. The motives of the servant leader must always be checked. Any time
the servant leader begins to look toward his own gain or status, he ceases to
be a servant leader. It’s not that he’s not concerned with leading, though.
Instead, he leads with the best interest of others in mind.

This type of leadership actually lends more power to the servant leader than
traditional leadership techniques. Because those who follow the servant leader
know and trust that he has their best interest in mind they will follow him
with more dedication. A traditional, positional, authoritarian leader may
indeed gain some followers, but their commitment and buy-in will not be as
great. The servant leader can better inspire those who follow to do greater
things and therefore his power as a leader increases by default.

How do we become a servant leader.

 October 20,
KOTUNDAAN OM KOBUON MAZA PINAAGAT OM KABAAN – JKKK KG.KIBABAIG
2010

 Study up on the concepts and characteristics of servant leadership. Read

books written by servant leaders such as Robert K. Greenleaf, James Autry,
or John Maxwell. Their wisdom and experience will help you build your
leadership skills.
 Take a close look at your own heart and motives. Why do you want to
become a servant leader? Is it for more power and effectiveness? Or do you
believe that becoming a servant leader is in the best interest of all
involved? Think about each decision you make as a leader. Is this
something that will benefit the people and the organization? Is this
something that will only further your own cause and ambition?
 Take some time to learn from and listen to the people around you and
under your influence.What ideas do they have? How can you motivate and
inspire them? Instead of thinking how they can help you accomplish your
goals, try working with them to help them accomplish theirs.
 Don’t put your efforts into getting ahead or receiving credit.Instead,
focus on the work that needs to be done. Be willing to roll up your
sleeves and get your hands dirty. Believe in your cause or organization
enough that you can willingly sacrifice recognition.
 Build up other leaders. Don’t keep the power of leadership to yourself.
Empower other and delegate responsibility. With traditional leadership,
there is always a fear of being replaced. Release that fear and be willing
to pass the baton on to someone else. If you believe in the cause you are
leading, then empowering others will only multiply the effort. Click on
"Building a Team of Leaders" for more information on creating an
environment of leadership.
As you work on your own leadership development, I hope that you will consider
the concepts of servant leadership. Learn to set aside pride and selfishness.
Work toward putting others first in your life and in your work.

10 Characteristics of a Servant Leader

In writing the introduction for Greenleaf’s The Power of Servant Leadership,
Larry Spears identified ten characteristics of the servant leader based on his
study of Greenleaf’s writings. These characteristics are:
1. Listening - Listening to others as well as listening to one’s own self.
He writes that “Listening, coupled with regular periods of reflection, are
essential to the growth of the servant leader.” (Greenleaf, 5) As a
leader, how often do you take the time to listen to those who are under
your leadership? Do you ask them questions, learn from their perspective,
 October 20,
KOTUNDAAN OM KOBUON MAZA PINAAGAT OM KABAAN – JKKK KG.KIBABAIG
2010

and consider their ideas? How often do you take the time to listen to
yourself or follow your gut? Do you take the time to listen to God’s
leading? Think about ways that you can improve your listening skills both
in your personal life as well as your professional career.
2. Empathy – Understanding and empathizing with others. “People need to be
accepted and recognized for their special and unique spirits.” (Greenleaf,
5) We’ve all experienced leaders who have taken an interest in our well
being. By having a leader who will listen to us and understand what we are
going through we are more apt to follow where they lead. Do you understand
the lives of those who follow you? Do you take an interest in their
feelings and ambitions? Think about ways that you can make yourself more
available to the people around you.
3. Healing – Healing isn’t something that is usually associated with
leadership. However, a great strength of a servant leader is the potential
that they have to heal their relationships with other. A leader cannot
underestimate their power to heal a broken spirit or emotional pain in
others. Who do you have the power to heal? What relationships need
reconciliation? Understanding how you can bring healing in your leadership
will require both the listening and the empathy characteristics. Learn to
weave the three together.
4. Awareness – This includes being aware of what’s going on around them as
well as what’s going within them. “Able leaders are usually sharply awake
and reasonably disturbed.” (Greenleaf, 6) Awareness is often a missing
ingredient among aspiring leaders today. How well do you know what’s going
on around you? How well do you know your own strengths and weaknesses? How
accurately are you perceived by those who work with you or for you? By
taking some time to develop skills in awareness, you’ll be able to better
understand your leadership and your position.
5. Persuasion – A servant leader knows how to persuade others instead of
relying on the authority of their position. This is a very distinct
difference that sets servant leadership apart from a more traditional,
authoritarian model. By using their abilities to persuade instead of
coerce, the servant leader has both the results he’s looking for as well
as the buy-in of the one he persuaded. Are you a leader who lays down the
law or are you one who helps others see the purpose in your plan? It’s far
better to have someone do what you want them to do because they want to do
it. Work on your own skills in the art of persuasion.
 October 20,
KOTUNDAAN OM KOBUON MAZA PINAAGAT OM KABAAN – JKKK KG.KIBABAIG
2010

6. Conceptualization – The servant leader knows how to look at the big

picture, not just the day-to-day tasks at hand. They know how to balance
the two outlooks and develop both perspectives. By being able on
conceptualize, the servant leader will be able to cast a vision and
understand the steps it takes to accomplish. Be sure to take some time to
step back and look at the big picture. Don’t get bogged down by the
details.
7. Foresight – This is closely related to conceptualization, but it focuses
on the ability to foresee an outcome. In this the servant leader is able
to “understand the lessons from the past, the realities of the present,
and the likely consequence of a decision for the future.” (Greenleaf, 7) I
believe this helps the leader keep the big picture in mind and not focus
on how the decision only affects them at that moment in time. Learn to ask
“what if” questions and then imagine the results of your decision. Try to
look at it from all angles.
8. Stewardship – In servant leadership, good stewardship puts the
commitment of serving the needs of others ahead of their own needs. They
understand their role in using
their leadership for the greater
In James Autry’s book, The Servant
good. As a leader, you are the
Leader, he gives lists six things that he
steward for the people, as well as believes about leadership. These first
the responsibilities, that are three deal with the concept of power
under your leadership. Are you vs. authority:

being a good steward with what’s

1. Leadership is not about
been given to you? controlling people; it’s about
9. Commitment to the growth of the caring for people and being a
people – A servant leader useful resource for people.

understands their responsibility in

2. Leadership is not about being
building up other around them and boss; it’s about being present for
under their leadership. This leader people and building a community
“recognizes the tremendous at work.

responsibility to do everything
3. Leadership is not about
within his or her power to nurture holding on to territory, it’s about
the personal, professional, and letting go of ego, bringing your
spiritual growth of employees.” spirit to work, being your best and
most authentic self.
(Greenleaf, 8) People will follow
someone that they believe has their
best interest at heart. Are you
 October 20,
KOTUNDAAN OM KOBUON MAZA PINAAGAT OM KABAAN – JKKK KG.KIBABAIG
2010

committed to their growth? Are you building up leaders to follow in your

footsteps? Are you willing to delegate and release authority? By building
up leaders and being committed to their growth, you’ll only increase your
influence and expand your mission.
10. Building community – The servant leader understands that true community
can be created among people who are working toward a common purpose. By
building community the servant leader knows that he will create a sense of
personal involvement and relationships that will keep people on board. A
sense of community inspires loyalty and buy-in. What are some ways that
you can build community within your organization? How can you promote
teamwork? Think of ways to help everyone find common ground in working
toward a shared goal.
Are you a servant leader? Are you a leader that you would want to follow? Take
a closer look at these servant leadership characteristics. Which ones do you
need to develop and improve upon? Become the leader you want to be and
discover the power of servant leadership.

SOME QUOTES TO PONDER ABOUT:

 Whether you need the leader or not, I’d suggest that a leader’s job must
always be spiritual as well as material.  How we think and feel is linked
critically to how we act and so to the business of business.  This is normally
expressed as motivation, but I believe it is more than that and that a truly
transformational leader would inspire people to examine their own beliefs and
ways of being. – Anonymous

 Learning to become an effective self-directed learner is probably the greatest

intellectual and psychological challenge that an individual can face in a
lifetime……  Some people never attempt to acquire the competencies of serious
learning to learn as they are addicted to the deferential prescriptive
approach. Dealtry, R. (2004), “The savvy learner”, Journal of Workplace
Learning, Vol. 16
 And why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I
say? ..... you know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it
over them, and their great men ... It is not so among you, but

whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,

and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your
 October 20,
KOTUNDAAN OM KOBUON MAZA PINAAGAT OM KABAAN – JKKK KG.KIBABAIG
2010

slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be

served, but to serve, and give His life a
ransom for many."  - Jesus Christ

 Finally, it is the Word of Christ, not the reasonings of men based on human
inferences, deductions, and/or implications that we are called by our
heavenly Father to hear andobey. Let’s quit making excuses. Let’s trust and
obey the teachings and the commandments of Jesus Christ. - Jim Davis