JLBC Qualities of the servant leader

JLBC: Leadership

Servant leaders, in their service, believe that they can do the most good by accepting the responsibilities and possibilities of leadership. The people who become leaders out of a desire to serve more effectively are called servant leaders.

JLBC Qualities of the servant leader

Servant leaders emphasize some of the following ideas and actions.

• The servant leader believes themself "first among equals." This idea is at the very core of servant leadership. Servant leader does not consider themself above those he leads. Instead, he is primus inter pares from Latin, meaning "first among equals." That is, he sees those he leads as peers to teach and to learn from. He is willing to lead others to reach an agreed-upon goal, but he doesn't believe being the leader makes him better than others.

The servant-leader is a team builder. They will draw on followers' strengths and be a follower/himself when appropriate. Such a leader doesn't lead by decree or dictate. Instead, they lead by allowing everyone to do what they do well.

The style of guidance of servant leaders--where people, as equals, can voice their concerns and work to their potential--is not a heavy weight on followers. Instead, the servant-leader shares burdens and benefits equally with these peers. Everyone involved benefits.

• The servant leader uses power honestly. A servant leader uses leadership and management legitimately for the good of the people they serve. The leader sees leadership as a means to obtain the general interest, not as a desired personal end.

The difference is evident for those watching people in power. We don't look up to the lone leader who uses his muscle and brags about his brawn, nor to the politician who uses polished talk and boasts of his skill.