Prevailing Human Spirit in Digital Age
Servant Leadership has contributed much for the humankind to become who they are today. For centuries, people have serviced for betterment of people beyond boundaries and benefits.
Global Pandemic crisis has revitalized the need of servant leadership, not only in the society, but in the corporate world. We are entering an era of new challenges where no playbooks can help. As we move to the digital age, it’s the Servant leadership who prevail the Human Spirit.
Introduction to Servant Leadership
Servant leadership begins with a purpose to serve people. These leaders inspire their followers through their course and intention to grow the teams. As a result, they earn trust, credibility and moral authority then through command and control, which is the approach for authoritative leaders.
As Robert K. Greenleaf explained in the essay published in 1970, a servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the “top of the pyramid,” servant leadership is different. The servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible.
Importance of Servant Leaders in Corporate World
One of the biggest dilemmas of managers is to deal with the Paradox “How to grow Autonomous, Self-Organized teams and at the same time create alignment around performance goals and get things done to fit team department objectives. Servant leadership can provide significant contribution to solve this dilemma. Servant Leaders constantly give clarity to Purpose and Intentions and groom the environment for team to transform the intentions to actions.
Lessons from Coxswain Leadership
Among the heavy built strong crew of rowers, have you noticed a small, player who does not row & sits in the stern facing the bow & the crew?
In rowing, hundredths of a second can decide the race’s outcome and where the smallest person in the boat is critical to helping the team harness & achieve its potential.
If one of the blades goes in the water even a microsecond late or early, the boat will experience slants & drag.
The coxswain is the member who is responsible for steering the boat and coordinating the SPEED POWER and RYTHM of the rowers. Coxswain becomes eyes, ears and brain of a powerful crew of rowers.
Similarly, Servant Leaders coordinate Autonomy & Alignment & bring intelligence and collective wisdom to the team to grow high performance.
In next article, let’s dive deep into Servant leadership styles and skills to succeed in corporate world.
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