International Journal of Servant-Leadership
Abstract
Leadership is a term often used in education and in the workplace. But the concept of servant-leadership "is often forgotten, and its principles are directly applicable to those who wish to lead" (Spears, 1995, p. 79). According to Robert Greenleaf, "servant-leadership begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead" (Spears, 1995, p. 4). When I thought about the word leader, there were several words that came to mind. Words such as powerful, assertive, and manager. These were the words traditionally found in a resume, listed on an employment application, or used to describe one's self during an interview. But these words do not describe the servant-leader. "The servant-leader is a listener, is task-oriented, has a strategic sense, is eager to understand, to empathize and to collaborate, and does not escape becoming the target of many challenges and tests" (Spears, 1995, p. 81). Although it can be difficult to empathize with others when their situations seem unfamiliar to ours, a servant-leader finds a way to understand, to serve others. And when a strategic plan is overturned by something unexpected, it would be easy to claim ignorance. But a servant-leader cannot escape challenges or tests, even if she tries to. For this reason, Larry Spears ( 1995) claims that "servant-leadership falls into the category of one of those 'impossible things"' (p. 79). I believe servant-leadership derives from a feeling, something with which the servant-leader is born. It is an instinct to serve and lead others, even those she does not know or understand. This is the beauty of servant-leadership.
Recommended Citation
Kametas-Hicks, Eleni J.
(2011)
"Fascism and Forgiveness,"
International Journal of Servant-Leadership: Vol. 7, Article 14.
DOI: 10.33972/ijsl.172
Available at:
https://repository.gonzaga.edu/ijsl/vol7/iss1/14
Copyright Information
Copyright 2011 The Author(s). All rights reserved