NSTP 1

SERVANT
LEADERSHIP
The servant-leader is servant first... Becoming a
servant-leader begins with the natural feeling that one
wants to serve, to serve first. -Robert K. Greenleaf
IN THIS
LESSON:
Explain the concept of servant leadership;

Distinguish the servant leadership from

other types of leadership;

Understand the characteristics of servant

leadership and its Biblical
foundations; and

Distinguish the benefits and drawbacks of

servant leadership; and

Discuss the relevance of servant

leadership within the context of
serving the nation and the people.
DEFINING SERVANT
LEADERSHIP
Servant leadership is a leadership style in which the
leader prioritizes the organization, subordinates, or
community's needs, development, and well-being. In
other words, the leaders adopt a serve-first mindset,
putting the welfare of their employees ahead of their
own. Rather than followers working to serve the leader,
the leader serves the needs of the followers.

Servant leadership entails serving others and being

available to them when they need assistance and
help.
Here are a few other definitions of
servant leadership:

“Servant Leadership is a non-traditional leadership philosophy, embedded in

a set of behaviors and practices that place a primary emphasis on the well-
being of those being served."
- Center for Servant Leadership

"Servant leadership is a leadership style and philosophy whereby an individual

interacts with others-either in a management or fellow employee capacity-to
achieve authority rather than power. The system embodies a decentralized
organizational structure."
- Will Kenton
 SERVANT LEADERSHIP
DIFFERENTIATED
What distinguishes servant leadership from other types of leadership?
Here is a snapshot of the three (3) most common leadership styles below.

Autocratic Transactional Bureaucratic

leadership leadership Leadership
is a leadership style that is a hierarchical management
is a management style that
emphasizes individual control over system with fixed official functions
prioritizessupervision, organization,
all decisions with little input from or duties.
and team performance.
subordinates.
 ATTRIBUTES OF SERVANT
LEADERSHIP
Servant leadership works best in organizations that are more
democratic or decentralized. Since servant leaders prioritize their
followers, they are most effective when the group sets goals and
makes key decisions.

The following are the ten most important characteristicsof servant

leaders, according to Larry C. Spears in his book "Characterand
Servant Leadership: 10 Characteristics of Effective, Caring
Leaders,published in "The Journal of Virtues and Leadership":
1.LISTENING

Good leaders engage in active listening by

first asking questions and attempting to
understand their followers, which can
provide them with the information they
need to support the success of their
followers, which will ultimately
lead to the organization's success
2.EMPATHY

Empathy is the capability to understand

how others feel, see things from their point
of view, and put yourself in their shoes.
Understanding how and why people feel is
a critical component of servant leadership.
3.HEALING

This attribute relates to people's emotional health and

"wholeness," and it entails supporting them both
physically and mentally. As a result, servant leaders
create environments that promote each individual's
physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Try
emphasizing healing and wholeness in your
conversations and dealings with your subordinates.
4. SELF AWARENESS

Self-awareness is the ability to be aware of one's own

awareness feelings, thoughts, and actions. Knowing your
strengths and weaknesses and soliciting feedback from
others can help you become more self-aware
 5. PERSUASION

Persuasion is convincing others to change their minds, make

a commitment, or take action. Servant leaders rarely operate
in a hierarchical structure or issue strict directives to their
subordinates. Instead, they persuade others to agree with their
decisions and take appropriate action
6. FORESIGHT

Foresight is the ability to foresee what will happen in the

future by learning from past experiences, identifying what is
happening now, and understanding the consequences of
your decisions.
 7. STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship entails accepting responsibility for your team's

actions and performance and holding team members
accountable for their roles in your organization.
 8. COMMITMENT

Servant leaders are dedicated to the personal and

professional to the growth of growth of all members
of their teams
 9. BUILDING COMMUNITY

The final attribute of servant leadership is to foster a

sense community of community within your
organization and allow team members to bond or
develop camaraderie
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP

The servant leadership style provides several compelling benefits and

advantages to organizations. Here are some of the advantages of establishing
a servant leadership environment.
 ADVANTAGES:
1. Servant leadership develops stronger, trust-based relationships;
2. Servant leadership encourages empathy, creativity, curiosity, and
innovation;
3. Servant leadership increases ownership and responsibility:
4. Servant leadership fosters a culture that values people;
5. Servant leadership is an effective way to ensure that decisions are made
in the best interests of the organization;
6. Future leaders are developed through servant leadership;
7. Servant leadership boosts team morale; and
8. Employees are more satisfied with their jobs when they feel valued and
appreciated at work.
 DISADVANTAGES:
1. Servant Leadership can be difficult to communicate or achieve -- it is
a continuous journey rather than a destination;
2. Servant leadership can be more time-consuming because decisions
take longer to make and can be hampered by opposing viewpoints;
3. Retraining current leaders to be servant leaders can be difficult and
time-consuming;
4. The role of the leader is one of support rather than leadership. The
leader's formal authority may be weakened, and some may regard
servant leaders as weak or ineffective;
 DISADVANTAGES:

5. Team members are expected to make a decision, but they may not
understand the big picture.
6. Different leadership styles among teams can be confusing; and
7. Reduced motivation and resourcefulness when the leader steps in to
solve problems for team members.
 BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS
OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP
Serving others and even holding leadership positions are not new
concepts for Christians. The Bible contains numerous examples of people
who sought to serve others (e.g., Jesus, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Peter,
and Paul). The Bible passages below provide some Biblical foundations for
servant leadership principles.
 BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS
OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP
John 12:26
26. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am,
my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who
serves me.

Luke 4: 8
8 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your
God and serve him only."