What Is Servant Leadership?

Servant leadership is a philosophy and set of practices emphasizing the importance of serving others in organizations. Robert K. Greenleaf coined the term first in an essay in 1970.

Servant leadership is a philosophy of leadership that focuses on serving others. Such a leader puts the needs of others first and strives to help them reach their full potential.

History of Servant Leadership

Greenleaf coined the term in The Servant as Leader in 1970. In this essay, he described servant leadership as “a servant first” mindset, where the leader’s primary goal is to serve others.

The concept can be traced to ancient philosophy and religion. In the Bible, Jesus Christ is considered the ultimate servant leader. Christ’s message of love and service was radical in his time and continues to inspire people today.

The idea of servant leadership has parallels in Eastern philosophy. Lao Tzu wrote “Tao Te Ching,” which advocates for a leader who serves the people instead of ruling over them.

In India, Mahatma Gandhi is revered as one of the most influential figures in history for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance and service to others.

What Does It Mean To Be a Servant Leader?

A servant leader puts others’ needs first and leads by example. A servant leader is not concerned with personal power or gain but instead focuses on the growth and development of others.

Servant leaders are often selfless, humble, and deeply committed to serving others.

Servant Leadership Cases

In theory, servant leadership is often discussed, but what does it look like in the real world? Here are some examples of servant leadership:

Mother Teresa

One of the most well-known examples of servant leadership is Mother Teresa. She devoted her life to serving others, particularly the poorest of the poor in India. 

She founded the Missionaries of Charity which is a religious order that continues her work today.

Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi is another well-known example of servant leadership. He was the political leader of India during its struggle for independence from British rule.

He is best known for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which he significantly influenced the Indian people to freedom.

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela is another example of a leader who used his power to serve others. He was imprisoned for 27 years for his opposition to apartheid in South Africa.

He became the country’s first democratically elected president and worked on healing the divisions created by years of discrimination and violence after his release.

Acquire a Leadership Degree While Serving Others

If you are interested in pursuing a career in servant leadership, here’s what you can do:

• You can look for internships concerning online management courses with certificates focusing on servant leadership.
• You can start by volunteering your time to organizations that focus on helping others. You will learn more about servant leadership and see firsthand how it can make a difference in people’s lives.

A degree in servant leadership will prepare you for a career in this exciting field and enable you to make a difference in the lives of others.

Conclusion

Cudoo offers a servant leadership course online that can help you learn more about this leadership style and how to put it into practice. The course is self-paced and includes video lessons, quizzes, and a final exam. Enroll now to begin!