Servant Leadership Focuses On The Needs Of Others

Servant Leadership Focuses On The Needs Of Others These Leaders Help

Servant leadership focuses on the needs of others. These leaders help to nurture and grow their followers. It sometimes takes time for leaders to transition their focus from themselves to serving the needs of others. Complete the “Leader’s Self-Insight 6.2” self-assessment on page 180 in your textbook to determine how close you are to becoming a servant leader. Address the following in a two-page essay:

- Give a brief synopsis of your score and interpretation of the self-assessment.

- Describe your leadership characteristics, and explain how they align (or do not align if that is the case) to the four precepts presented in the Greenleaf model of servant leadership. [Unit Learning Outcome 2.1]

- Describe what you see as an area of strength and an area of improvement. Determine what characteristics you value the most. [Unit Learning Outcome 2.1]

- Put your leadership skills (your identified strengths and areas of improvement) into action. How can you apply what you have assessed in this unit to influence others and improve followers’ performance or outcomes? [Unit Learning Outcome 2.2]

Your response should be a minimum of two double-spaced pages, not counting the title and reference pages.

Your essay should be formatted in accordance with APA style. Outside references are not required, but if you include them, they should also follow APA style. Daft, R. L. (with Lane, P. G.). (2018). The leadership experience (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Chapter 5: Leadership Mind and Emotion, pp. Chapter 6: Courage and Moral Leadership, pp.

Paper For Above instruction

The assessment of one's leadership qualities through the "Leader’s Self-Insight 6.2" provides a profound opportunity to reflect on personal capabilities and alignment with the principles of servant leadership. My self-assessment score indicates a moderate disposition towards servant leadership, showcasing strengths in empathy and active listening, yet revealing areas where growth is necessary, especially in fostering a broader service mindset. This reflection explores my leadership characteristics within the framework of Greenleaf’s four precepts of servant leadership—conceptualization, healing, awareness, and persuasion—and how I can actively incorporate these traits to foster a supportive and empowering environment for my followers.

My leadership characteristics center on empathy and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. I find that I naturally listen attentively and seek to understand the perspectives of those I lead. These qualities closely align with Greenleaf’s precepts of healing and awareness, as I tend to recognize individual needs and respond appropriately. However, my self-assessment also highlights a need to develop stronger skills in conceptualization—thinking strategically about the future—and persuasion—convincing others to embrace shared visions. Recognizing these gaps allows me to focus on expanding my capabilities in these areas to become a more effective servant leader.

The area of strength I identify is empathy—the ability to genuinely connect with others and foster trust. This trait enables me to build meaningful relationships and support followers’ growth. Conversely, my area for improvement involves cultivating a more strategic mindset, particularly in articulating and championing a compelling vision. I value integrity and humility highly as guiding characteristics, as they foster trust and demonstrate authentic care. These characteristics are essential for creating a leadership style grounded in service rather than authority.

Applying my self-assessment insights involves intentionally practicing strategic thinking and effective influence techniques. I plan to set aside time for reflective thinking to visualize long-term goals and how my current actions align with these objectives. By leveraging my empathetic nature, I can better influence followers by understanding their motivations and barriers, tailoring my communication and support accordingly. Employing persuasion ethically—by engaging followers in shared decision-making—can encourage ownership and commitment to collective goals. Additionally, I will seek mentorship opportunities and engage in leadership development programs aimed at enhancing strategic and influence skills. These actions will enable me to become a more holistic servant leader, empowering others to perform at their best while fostering a culture of trust, growth, and shared purpose.

In conclusion, self-awareness derived from the self-assessment is instrumental in shaping my leadership journey. Emphasizing empathy while working actively on strategic conceptualization and influence will position me to better serve others, aligning with Greenleaf’s model of servant leadership. As I develop these qualities, I am committed to nurturing a leadership style that prioritizes the needs and growth of followers, ultimately leading to improved performance and positive organizational outcomes.

References

• Daft, R. L., & Lane, P. G. (2018). The leadership experience (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
• Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Servant leadership: A journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness. Paulist Press.
• Spears, L. C. (2010). Character and servant leadership: Ten characteristics of effective, caring leaders. The Journal of Virtues & Leadership, 1(1), 25-30.
• Sendjaya, S., Sarros, J. C., & Santora, J. C. (2008). Defining and measuring servant leadership behaviour in organizations. Journal of Management Studies, 45(2), 402-424.
• Liden, R. C., Wayne, S. J., Liao, C., & Meuser, J. D. (2014). Servant leadership and serving culture: Influence on individual and group performance. Academy of Management Journal, 57(5), 1434-1452.
• van Dierendonck, D. (2011). Servant leadership: A review and synthesis. Journal of Management, 37(4), 1228-1261.
• Greenleaf, R. K. (2002). Servant leadership: A journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness. Paulist Press.
• Barbuto, J. E., & Wheeler, D. W. (2006). Scale development and construct clarification of servant leadership. Group & Organization Management, 31(3), 300-326.
• Hunter, J. C. (2004). The servant: A simple story about the true essence of leadership. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership.
• Sendjaya, S., & Sarros, J. C. (2002). Servant leadership: Its origin, development, and application in organizations. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 9(2), 57-64.