"Rugged individualism, a cherished value in American society, can cloud our vision, causing us to forget that leaders ultimately serve others."
-Delorese Ambrose.
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We too easily forget when climbing our towers, achieving our own version of 'greatness,' of the people beneath us and how we depend on them. Truth be told, they too rely on us, but how often does the modern leader truly cherish his or her own subordinates? This, however, is the challenge of true leadership. For the processes they're charged with to grow the leader must recognise decrease, and the workers' increase. It opens the leader to true delegation of power and freedom of reign--joined with a faith that their unique contribution as 'leader' is enough.
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How many of us yearn to be led like this. For the boss to say, "C'mon Steve, show me what you can do." It's a risk to truly let people go and in the same breath say, "Is there anything I can do to support you... I want you to succeed."
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Wikipedia is a fantastic resource isn't it? I found the link on Servant Leadership a wealth of information... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servant_leadership
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What do people see in true servant leaders? A whole heap of virtues that are rarely seen in this day, or any day for that matter. It's the honesty, humility, integrity, faith, resilience and courage, and 'self-effacingness' that intuits admiration from the onlooker and follower. It communicates respect and a love for the other person that is so much more powerful than all the flattery in the history of time. Everyone wants a leader who will give of themselves as impetus for a personal lift to another person.
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The Wikipedia reference states: "Servant Leadership instead emphasizes collaboration, trust, empathy, and the ethical use of power." It is recognising the good and getting fully behind it, encouraging, coaxing, cheerleading. It is broader picture stuff--much broader than most people's vision. Servant leadership is saying, "I'm here, I believe in what we're doing, and I'm going to be right behind this venture/person/group until the job's finished." And this person deflects the kudos, but not in a false way; they simply see the role of the one/group who actually did the work.
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Servant leaders are many things, not the least of which 'organisers, catalysts, and stewards.' They produce results by funnelling resources responsibly, efficiently. They recognise areas of potential for growth due to their vision; they act. They communicate effectively, and always seem to have their emotions in check because it's not their pride on the line.
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Servant leaders are first and foremost, trustworthy. You'd mortgage the house, going surety on them. Again, what we'd do for more of them?
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