I typically do not respond to articles, columns, or other media outlets because, generally speaking, I have found that it does little good. However, on this particular occasion I was feeling that a balanced view was needed.
I read a column in the Atlanta business magazine Catalyst that prompted me to respond. The columnist was writing about Servant Leadership. You may have heard the management buzz-phrase before. Did it strike a cord with you? Is it a new idea?
To summarize the article, the author wrote that by applying certain steps and principles, you too, could be a servant leader. To imply that by putting on outward appearances you could feel good about yourself because you, as a leader, were practicing servanthood rubbed me wrong. An inner lifestyle had just been reduced to a management fad.
Too Many Jackets
I likened it to putting on the latest, trendy jacket. “Hmm, today I think I’ll try on the Servant Leadership jacket. After I’ve worn that around for a week or so, I’ll try the Resonant Leadership jacket.” And so it goes from one management trend to the next. Does putting on the jacket truly make you a servant leader or any kind of leader for that matter?
Common Sense
Management is not difficult for those that are naturally gifted in the area. Most of the role of managing is common sense. You’ve experienced it just like I have: There have been those bosses you have admired and would do anything for. Then there have been the bosses you’d like to throw out the window and jump out after them. Those people that are not gifted in management and that lack good sense should not be put in charge of others. If a poor manager showed issues with a little responsibility, why should we heap greater responsibility on them? Common sense says, put people in their areas of strength — you will be glad you did and they will thank you for it as well.
Got Guts?
My litmus test for true Servant Leaders is to ask the employees in an organization their thoughts. They know who in leadership are for real and those who are putting on jackets. You can hide your poor skills for a time but, evetually, you will be found out.
So, can servant leadership be learned? Yes, but it has to become a lifestyle change and, frankly, most of us tend to be self-centered rather than others-centered (I know I do). As leaders, do we have the “guts” to stick to this management style? For those gifted with service, it will come naturally, for others it will be a lifetime of diligence. The real lasting-change needs to come from the inside not the outside.
Don’t let trendy management practices entice you. Use common sense, talk to your employees, work out of your strengths, and commit to serving others…the opposite of what conventional wisdom would say.
Now, there’s a new idea!
**I would love to hear your thoughts on this post. Comment using the link below.**
When will they learn that all management fads have a limited life? There are no “silver bullets” and no substitutes for good hard work. Worse yet is when some consultant attempts to evangelize the workforce into a new “company religion” replete with its own rituals, icons and Bible. God help (the real one) any employee who attempts to espouse an original thought or question the doctrine. Remember the Spanish inquisition? What an insult to the intelligence of the very people that the compnay relies on. What arrogance!
Successful organizations innovate. Good companies are honest with the workforce and listen to divergent views. They do not need goofy gimmicks or play games with their employees’ psyches.
When all is said and done, there is actually only one thing that successful organiztions have in common – they are successful.
Jerome, thanks for the insightful comment. -eb
Jerome, I differ with your comments. Yes, managers are all too willing to jump on the latest trends. Yes, common sense is in short supply nowadays. Nevertheless, there are huge lessons we can learn from successful organizations. Sometimes we even learn how to maintain common sense in our organizations.
There probably is no universally common denominator for success, but much of the wisdom within sucessful orgs can be distilled into parables of great value to us. The mistake is when leaders are tossed left and right by every passing trend and have no sense of identity for themselves or their org.
So, I think the key is to acknowledge your core values. As trends like Servant Leadership are introduced, you can check these models against your core values and assimilate wisdom that aligns with your org.
Let’s make sure we’re only throwing out bathwater here.
Great discussion!
Dustin
I totally agree with you. Our core values, who we and what we live by, is the only jacket we really wear. All others will never last. I think that is why the concept of servant leadership is so simple but so difficult to execute. Servant Leadership has to deal with who you are and your heart, not what you can think of or what you say. Great post.
This is the precise
weblog for anybody who desires to find out about this topic.
You
notice so much its virtually arduous to
argue with you (not that I really would need…HaHa). You
positively put a
new spin on a topic thats been written about for years.
Great stuff, just
nice!
Wow, this post is good, my sister is analyzing such
things, therefore I am going to let know her.
I really like looking through a post that can make men and women think.
Also, many thanks for allowing me to comment!
Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.
I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and may come back
very soon. I want to encourage you to definitely continue
your great job, have a nice holiday weekend!
I leave a leave a response when I like a post on a site or
if I have something to add to the conversation.
It is triggered by the sincerness communicated in the article I looked at.
And on this post Servant Leadership – No Jackets Required | WeirdGuy.
I was actually moved enough to post a comment ;) I do have a couple of questions for you if you do not mind.
Could it be only me or do a few of these comments come across like they are written by brain dead folks?
:-P And, if you are posting at additional
social sites, I’d like to follow anything fresh you have to post. Could you list the complete urls of your public pages like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?
I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.
I am quite certain I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
Howdy! I understand this is sort of off-topic however I needed
to ask. Does building a well-established blog
like yours require a massive amount work? I am completely
new to writing a blog but I do write in my journal daily.
I’d like to start a blog so I can share my own experience and thoughts online. Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips for new aspiring bloggers. Appreciate it!
Wow, this paragraph is nice, my sister is analyzing these things, so I am going to inform her.