Question

Interview a leader of your choice and ask these four questions:

1. What are the most important qualities an effective leader should have?

2. What are the qualities you want most in an employee? Why?

3. How do your employees react to your leadership?

4. What is the role of effective communication in leadership?

Then write a summary of the answers that describe any characteristics of servant leadership that is displayed by this leader.

Answer 1

Leadership is about getting people to follow you thorugh their own will. There is a certain magnetism associated to leadership.

"Servant leader as a type of leader that serves others, rather than the followers serving the leader. Doing so will have the followers achieve and improve. As any leader, they are responsible for the followers and those that are not on the same level as others. The people served grow as individuals, becoming 'healthier, wiser, more autonomous and more likely themselves to become servants" (Greenleaf, 1977)

Servant leaders have high focus on listening, empathy and self awareness and expect the same from their employees. Thety expect the employees to be honest and upfront in communication to help arrive at solutions faster to help serve the community.

For them being a leader is about :

Awareness - the leader has to be aware of the surroundings of themselves and others that follow him.

Listening - a patient listener always looking out for what their followers have to say, to listen to their ideas and qualms

Empathy - being able to show empathy even when one cannot accept some views of their co-workers.

Foresight - in order to develop this characteristic effectively, the leader has to be able to analyze any situation and have a great amount of discernment when it comes to decision making. There would be times that the "powers that be" will expect the leader to complete some tasks that may not suit too well with the leader. Foresight will help the leader to come to a sensible conclusion that will satisfy both their bosses and their followers.

Employees usually try to emulte such leadership, however in some instances it has also been misunderstood for weakness and a sort of subservience. However it is advisable, to while maintaining the same leadership style, one must also be firm and swift in action.

Communication plays an important role as listening is one of the key tasks of the servant leader, he listens and helps form him own conceptual roadmap and vision. Key inputs from the right people make all the difference. For this he creates an open atmosphere, where suggestions are welcome, to create a wholesome environment of continuous development.