2023 3 posts Re Topic 1 DQ 2 Servant leadership is a type of leadership

 
3 postsRe: Topic 1 DQ 2

Servant leadership is a type of leadership in which the main goal of the leader is to serve and place the needs and interests of their followers and organization over their own self-interest and needs (Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, 2016). “Servant leadership is a philosophy and set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations, and ultimately creates a more just and caring world,” states the Greenleaf Institute for Servant Leadership. The phrase “servant leadership” was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in The Servant as Leader and in his thesis he makes several strong statements including the philosophy that, “caring for persons, the more able and the less able serving each other, is the rock upon which a good society is built” (Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, 2016). This type of leadership style is set up to serve each member in the group. In a diverse workplace, this type of leadership would be beneficial in that it allows for personalized management and can help to establish cohesiveness in a team environment (Root, 2007). In other forms of management styles, the needs and visions of the company are often put ahead of the needs of the staff. In the servant leadership setting, all input and opinions are taken into consideration which helps to build loyalty from staff, can improve feelings of teamwork, and increase staff morale (Root, 2007). When employees are satisfied with their jobs and their company, workplace productivity tend to rise.

Transformational leaders work with their employees to implement change. This type of leadership involves creating a vision for followers and guiding changes through inspiration and motivation. This theory was developed by James Burins in the 1970s with the basic assumptions that, “Both leaders and followers have the ability to “raise each other to the highest levels of motivation and morality” (Marquis & Huston, 2017, p. 50).” (Grand Canyon University, 2018). “In Burns’ view, transformational leadership has the potential to motivate followers to satisfy higher-level needs, such as self-esteem and self-actualization. Those influenced by transformational leaders find meaning and value in their work, make significant contributions to the success of their employing organization, and become leaders’ themselves” (Rose O. Sherman, 2019). Transformational leaders use the following four elements when leading others; idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individual consideration. “Transformational leadership focuses on empowerment, viewing errors as learning opportunities, and valuing innovation which means staff members have a means of continually providing input about how to improve care. As a result, transformational leadership can revitalize healthcare from the point of patient care and more” (Rose O. Sherman, 2019). This can be a very powerful approach, but the visionary, big-picture aspect can distract the leader from the day-to-day tasks. It works best when the leader has a detail-oriented subordinate to keep him things grounded.

Grand Canyon University (Ed). (2018). Nursing leadership & management: Leading and serving. Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs451vn/nursing-leadership-and-management-leading-and-serving/v1.1/

Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. (2016). The Servant as a Leader. Retrieved from What is Servant Leadership: https://www.greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/

Root, G. N. (2007). The Advantages of the Servant Leadership Style. Retrieved from Leadership: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-servant-leadership-style-11693.html