Discussion Thread: Servant Leadership vs.

Adaptive Leadership
Daniel Blanco

Public safety is a very broad field, and just like everything else, it is also constantly
evolving. It demands for leaders who can inspire and guide their team, as well as being
capable of navigating complex challenges and adapting to many situations. Since different
circumstances require different approaches, numerous leadership styles can be adopted. In
this assignment, we will discuss the servant and the adaptive leadership styles.
Servant Leadership:
Servant leadership challenges the traditional point of view from which leaders are seen as
people in positions of power and influence, while followers just take and obey their orders.
This leadership style’s proposal is based on the premise that leaders can, and should, serve
their followers. (Shonk, 2024)
Adaptive Leadership:
The adaptive leadership style, just like the servant leadership style, breaks away from what
is considered standard leadership. It alters the focal point from working well with stability
to thriving due to change. Adaptive leaders carry the strength of being comfortable with
uncertainty, this is a key element that helps them lead their team through certain scenarios
in which uncertainty prevails. This leadership style allows teams to learn how to adjust and
prosper when faced with complex conditions. (What Is Adaptive Leadership?, 2022)
Servant Leadership characteristics in Public Safety:
There are ten characteristics identified within the servant leadership style; they prioritize
active listening, possess a strong sense of empathy, offer guidance or resources to help with
other people’s healing processes, are highly aware of their own strengths and weaknesses,
can persuade their followers when necessary, think strategically and conceptually, have a
sense of foresight, view themselves as stewards of the organization and their followers'
well-being, are committed to the growth of their team members, and create a strong sense
of community within their team. (Northouse, 2021)
Each one of these characteristics plays a part in public safety. In situations where the
pressure is high, the personnel must listen to citizen’s concerns, and they should be
empathic and respond to these matters with compassion and understanding. Leaders must
help create a safe space that promotes emotional healing. Being aware of the community
they are serving and the challenges they face allows them to gain their trust and tailor
strategies. If they stay informed and consider different scenarios, they can foresee emerging
challenges and prepare their teams to respond effectively to them. Along with this, they
should be able to envision future problems, conceptualize and develop contingency plans,
and with the use of persuasion, inspire teams to think creatively about solutions, which
fosters a more collaborative dynamic, and engaged work environment. They are expected to
invest in their team's development and offer training opportunities and provide guidance to
help team members grow their skills. It is also important for leaders to build good quality
relationships to achieve trust and collaboration for improved overall safety. Lastly, since
they act as a steward of public safety, they have to ensure the well-being of both the
community and their team members. (Northouse, 2021)
Which characteristic is more critical to public safety?
The most crucial characteristic for public safety concerns might depend on the situation, but
in general listening is quite an important aspect in most cases. When listening attentively, it
helps to gather accurate information and achieve a clearer understanding of the situation,
therefore helping make better decisions. On an interpersonal level, genuinely listening to
people's fears or frustrations, can aid in de-escalating certain situations and potentially
avoiding unnecessary confrontation. Additionally, if people are made to feel heard and
understood, trust can be built, which is crucial for cooperation, especially in emergencies.
The perfect biblical example of servant leadership will always be Jesus, he always
emphasized the importance of humility and service. In John 13:3-17, during the Last
Supper, Jesus decides to wash his disciples' feet, a task typically done by servants, making
it a shocking act of humility, and embodying perfectly the concept of a leader serving their
followerss. (John 13:3-17 (NIV), n.d.)
References:

Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and Practice. SAGE Publications.

Shonk, K. (2024, January 5). Servant Leadership Theory. PON - Program on Negotiation at

Harvard Law School.

https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/leadership-skills-daily/servant-leadership-

theory/

What is adaptive leadership? (2022, October 20). Western Governors University.

https://www.wgu.edu/blog/what-adaptive-leadership2101.html

John 13:3-17 (NIV). (n.d.). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?

search=John%2013%3A3-17&version=NIV\