The Paradox of Servant Leadership

For a revolution to take place, a transformation to occur, or a paradigm to shift, these things should remain true: Successful, fruitful, and transformational leadership derive from Servant Leadership and in order for any change or growth to occur, leaders and individual alike should have a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset.

Servant Leadership:

Robert K Greenleaf first conceived the paradoxical, yet powerful, term "Servant Leadership" in 1970. After 30 years, this concept became increasingly popular and began to be viewed as an ideal leadership style aside from all the others that were, and still are, continuously changing. Through the evolution of leadership styles, what set Servant Leadership apart? What makes it so timeless? And simply put, what is Servant Leadership? 

Here are a few qualities and characteristics of a Servant Leader:

L - Listener - Even though you are a strong communicator and have a lot to say, you patiently listen before you speak.                   

E - Empathy - Even though you are emotionally intelligent and empathic, you can still make tough decisions confidently.        

A - Awareness -

 Even though some of your decisions may seem very small, you are detail oriented and are aware of the larger picture. You see before others see, you do before others do, and you serve before others see the need to. 

D - Decisive - Even though you deal with daily challenges you have to overcome and choices you have to make, you are not lost or confused, you are decisive. 

E - Empowering - Even though you are blessed with many opportunities for growth and success, you share them with your team, encouraging, equipping, and empowering them for the same. 

R - Real - Even though you have achieved and accomplished great heights, your team still finds you right beside them on the same level, relatable and real. 

S - Servanthood - Even though success is important, significance is vital to you. You are strong while you serve others. You touch hearts before you ask for hands. You go from me to we, from I to others. 

H - Humility - Even though you are respected for what you have accomplished, you are always humble and give credit where credit is due.            

I - Integrity - Even though as a leader you go through trials, tribulations, and temptations, your core values remain in tact and you lead with trust and integrity. Integrity is the foundation of leadership.

P - Persevering - Even though you may face disappointments, you still press forward with passion and purpose toward your higher calling.                                                

Fixed Mindset:

People with fixed mindsets believe that their basic qualities like their intelligence or talents are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success, without effort.

Growth Mindset:

People with growth mindsets believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, brains and talent are just the starting point. This view can create a love for learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.

"Successful Leaders Lead with Passion and Compassion"

As a Servant Leader you are focused on growing daily because you can not give what you do not have. In every relationship, you are lifting and helping people grow. As aforementioned in my Love and Leadership article, you can't lead without love. Love is the bridge between servanthood and leadership.

True leadership is servanthood, and the greatest example of such leadership is Jesus Christ. Servanthood is an attitude exemplified by Him. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). With love and humility Jesus Christ was able to transform lives while serving them. Through His leadership, servanthood transcended all that it was thought to be and became what it was never imagined to be.

When your leadership is built on love, humility, and servanthood, obstacles are overcome through love's fruit of optimism, foundations are built solid and secure in love's values, and success is achieved through the strength found in love's endurance. A Servant Leader utilizes love to fuel himself and his people to achieve anything and everything. 

"If serving is below you, leadership is beyond you." - Anonymous 

Now, it is time to ask yourself a few questions as a leader:

1.    Who are you serving?

2.    What value do you add?

3.    Are you ready to transform lives with your leadership?

This week's BONUS for you: 

Here is a quick review of a very important matter. Not only is Servant Leadership a hot topic these days, it is also essential to our day to day lives, in home and in business. It is crucial to understand what Servant Leadership is in comparison to Self-Serving Leadership.

Farshad Asl Top Leaders News Top Leaders Academy