Servant Leadership: WHY NOT???

I’m somewhat baffled by our society’s (business, religious, govt.) total ignoring – and thorough ignorance – of the principles of servant leadership. It’s rare to find any USA organization that upholds and fosters this kind of leadership. No matter what your religious persuasion, we understand that Jesus taught that this was “thee” leadership principle – the idea that true leaders show their leadership by serving those around them. He demonstrated this by washing the dusty feet of his own disciples. So Jesus taught us that real leaders seek to serve OTHERS, not to BE served. If this is new to you…..take a minute and digest the magnitude of that. This isn’t “the way we do things anymore” – much to our shame.

Here are some of the reasons why maybe we’ve gotten so far off track on the single most important leadership principle ever taught:
1) We’re living in the “rock star CEO” era – where we’ve made the mistake of putting business people/religious leaders on a pedestal. Until we cease this folly – our organizations are doomed. Man was never made to be worshiped – he was created to serve others while “pulling in the harness” with co-workers.
2) It takes humility to serve others – and class and grace and style. Is it just me, or do most of our alleged “leaders” have very few of these traits? We tend to hire people for their flash and agressiveness (& excellent hair…Dilbert would say), rather than for their ability to work with others.
3) We follow the lead of govt. leaders, assuming this is “how you lead others.” But in the USA, we’re having to endure the most scandalous, self-serving federal govt. in our history. This isn’t leadership, this is tyranny. I’m talking about BOTH parties. Let’s don’t follow any of their examples.
4) Our screwing up the whole concept of “motivation” goes along nicely with our warped ideas on leadership. Motivation is internal, a fire that burns from the inside….no other human really motivates us for very long. So all the stirring speeches, bold talk, threats and coercion of “leaders” quickly fades away – forgotten. The only person who can really motivate you is….you.

I have the good fortune to work at a place where the owner/leaders have cultivated the practice of servant leadership. Knowing that they have my best interests at heart, and gladly serve me in any way they can (I’m not one of the owners), I quite gladly give them my heart and soul at the workplace, six days a week. When and if they lose their minds and revert to the pathetic type of “leadership” so prevalent in our culture, neglecting to “serve” – I’ll head elsewhere. Life is too short. As one of my mentors used to say: Find a fun place and go work there, this is your life!

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