International Journal of Servant-Leadership
Abstract
“I have come to believe that we should insist upon having choices and making decisions for ourselves, rather than having decisions forced upon us by others—no matter how well-intentioned. We should also become powerful advocates for allowing others to have those same rights. Yes, we live in an increasingly interdependent world, and we should take very seriously the careful balancing of personal choice with the greater social good. However, as Gordon Livingston says in his excellent book, Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart: Thirty True Things You Need to Know Now: ‘Nobody likes to be told what to do. It seems too obvious to mention, and yet look how much that passes for intimate communication involves admonitions and instructions.’ This is another place where Robert Greenleaf’s ideas have great relevance—particularly around his encouragement of the use of persuasion as much as possible. Instead of telling others what to do, or what to think, I believe the world would be a better place if we saved our admonitions for ourselves and expected to persuade others (and to be persuaded in turn).”
Recommended Citation
Spears, Larry C.
(2020)
"Fifteen Brief Insights on Servant-Leadership1,"
International Journal of Servant-Leadership: Vol. 14, Article 21.
DOI: 10.33972/ijsl.39
Available at:
https://repository.gonzaga.edu/ijsl/vol14/iss1/21
Copyright Information
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