Monthly Archives: March 2011

Ten Characteristics of Servant Leadership

Last week’s Minute introduced the servant leader concept developed by Robert Greenleaf. One of his fundamental premises is that organizations have a unique opportunity to create transformative company cultures that support individuals’ well-being and growth. It comes as no surprise that many servant leadership companies are frequently honored on “Best Places to Work” lists.

Food for Thought ~

Here are the ten characteristics of servant leadership:

  • Listening
  • Empathy
  • Awareness
  • Conceptualization
  • Persuasion
  • Healing
  • Commitment to the Growth of People
  • Foresight
  • Stewardship
  • Building Community

Question of the day ~

Which of the servant leader characteristics are your strengths?

Leadership and Stewardship

My own philosophy as a leader grew out of experience, plus trial and error. When I discovered the servant leader concept some years ago, it was with a sense of recognition and affirmation. It gave a name to my own way of thinking, and I was delighted to learn more about it. (On a personal note, I grew up in Indiana, and the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership is located in Indianapolis. Maybe it’s a mid-western sensibility!) My new column this week in the North Bay Business Journal is on the subject of servant leadership. It will soon be posted on-line, and I’ll send you the link.

Food for Thought ~

One of the central tenets of the servant leader concept is that leaders are the stewards of their organization’s resources: human, material, and financial, as well as responsible to their customers, community and environment. I love this notion of being a steward. In Webster’s, the applicable definition reads: “a person morally responsible for the careful use of money, time, talents, or other resources, especially with respect to the principles or needs of a community or group.”

Question of the day ~

How does the mindset of being a steward influence you as a leader?

A Paradox

I often comment on the multi-faceted, never-ending stream of opportunities and problems that leaders face. One of the best ways to handle the stress of this constant challenge is to set clear, high standards for yourself. It’s a bit of a paradox. However, it’s my observation that when our standards are high and clear, stress is reduced. I think it may be because setting high standards for our own performance requires clarity, a conscious choice of values and priorities, and a commitment to excellence, which is unambiguous. Internal value conflicts and ambivalence are far greater stressors than external circumstances.

Food for Thought ~

An important point of distinction, however, must be made ~ the distinction between excellence and perfectionism. A misguided dedication to perfection will certainly increase stress. In contrast, excellence is the more thoughtful, reality-based guidance system, the gold standard for leaders.

Question of the day ~

Do you set your expectations high for your own personal performance? Are you pursuing perfection or excellence?

The Vision Constellation

One of the qualities most often associated with good leaders is vision. This is the ability to imagine and envision and then guide your team/company/organization toward a desired future. There’s a wonderful family of qualities associated with this aspect of leadership. I call it The Vision Constellation. Some of the related skills include: foresight and anticipation – the thoughtful regard or provision for the future, encouraging the desired and forestalling or avoiding the undesired; a long-term perspective that informs all decisions; and core values that reflect a commitment to sustainable business practices.

Food for Thought ~

If I were to prescribe a list of the qualities necessary for leaders, The Vision Constellation would be in the top echelon. It is essential to look ahead and then use that information and insight to inform present-day activities and decisions. Without vision, management is merely reactivity and gamesmanship, not leadership.

Question of the day ~

Is The Vision Constellation one of your strengths? If not, do you have someone who can provide this within your organization?

Permanent White Water

Leadership has captivated me for as long as I can remember. The group dynamics, the interplay of personalities, and the collective effort required to achieve desired goals are all fascinating, in part because of the complexity. It is that very factor of having so many variables, changing circumstances, and human issues on so many levels that keeps it continually challenging, a “permanent white water” condition. I know many excellent leaders, and none of them are bored or complacent. There’s too much happening.

Food for Thought ~

Working with the river rafting metaphor, we can easily imagine a leader using his or her skill, experience and intelligence to navigate the rapids. Picture roiling waters, submerged rocks, fast-moving currents, and a raft full of people for whom you are responsible, all the while with great respect and reverence for the natural environment. You have just created the typical visceral experience of most leaders, especially in today’s economy with our culture’s ever-increasing pace of change.

Question of the day ~

Does this metaphor capture your experience as a leader? What metaphors are helpful for you? How do you increase your success at navigating the rapids?