LDR 630 Grand Canyon University Servant Leadership Discussion reply

Initial Question

Discuss the traits, behaviors, and leadership style you would expect to see in a person who identifies as a servant leader. In your response, include discussion about the following.

  1. In what ways can servant leadership be considered a vocation?
  2. When people commit to being servant leaders, what does that mean about the types of behaviors they exhibit and prohibit personally and within the organizations they are leading?
  3. How does servant leadership differ from traditional forms of leadership?

My initial response

The central aim of servant leadership is to serve. In this sense, servant leadership can be considered as a vocation because its defining goal is service to others. A vocation is a calling and goes beyond a job. A vocation involves being of service to others. This relates to servant leadership because this style of leadership focuses on using the role of a leader to serve others. In other words, servant leaders serve with others’ well-being in mind. Just like a vocation, a servant leader uses his or her position to serve his followers. Also, a servant leader prioritizes the needs and demands of his or her employees, shares power and supports employees to perform effectively. According to Greenleaf (2002), the motivation for servant leaders is a strong desire to help others (Greenleaf, 2002).

There are various unique traits that characterize a servant leader. Stewardship is a key trait that defines a servant leader. Such a leader serves as a steward for the assets or wealth of the organization. Such a leader takes the full mandate for planning and overseeing every organization’s resource for the success of the firm, its employees and other stakeholders such as the community. Also, a good servant leader must possess good listening skills. Before making decisions, such a leader must consider the opinions and ideas of his or her followers. Besides, servant leaders should be empathetic. Such a leader should have the ability to understand the feelings of his employees and those around them and relate to them. Furthermore, a servant leader must be committed to the growth of others. He or she must ensure the personal and professional development of his or her employees. A servant leader leads through persuasion rather than coercion. Other straits that define a servant leader includes community building, foresight and awareness and among others.

Servant leadership differs from traditional types of leadership such as transformational leadership. Servant leadership focuses on serving others including the wellness and prosperity of employees, the organization and all stakeholders. This differentiates it from traditional leadership that emphasizes majorly on the success of the organization in terms of profitability, sales and other areas of operations. Hence, servant leadership is about servant first whereas traditional leadership is often about the organization first.Respond to this: Great Post. I want to get your opinion of the current state of servant leadership, and whether or not our politics practice any form of servant leadership.

Respond to this:

Great Post. I want to get your opinion of the current state of servant leadership, and whether or not our politics practice any form of servant leadership.

In 1970 Greenleaf (1977) recognized and wrote about a leadership crisis, “We live at a time when holders of power are suspect, and actions that stem from authority are questioned” (p. 15). Yet he believed that constructs of power and authority were beginning to be reviewed and revised. He observed more natural servants challenging injustice and noted that servant leadership requires leaders to practice ethics, virtues, and morality (Greenleaf, 1977). Greenleaf’s (1970) words are frequently cited in defining servant leadership, suggesting that servant leadership: The conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. . . The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant. First to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served (p. 15).

Your thoughts? Thank you.