Servant Leadership

"Leadership comes in small acts as well as bold strokes"

Carly Fiorina

Not only do leaders need to have vision and courage, but one characteristic often overlooked is the ability to serve others. One of Coach John Wooden's favorite books is entitled The Servant by  James Hunter. It is the story of John Daily, a businessman whose outwardly successful life is spiraling out of control.  He is failing miserably in each of his leadership roles as boss, husband, father and coach.  To get his life back on track, he reluctantly attends a weeklong leadership retreat at a remote Benedictine monastery. To his surprise, the monk leading the seminar is a former business executive and Wall Street legend.  Taking John under his wing, the monk guides him to the realization that is simple and yet profound: the true foundation of leadership is not power, but authority which is built on relationships, love, service, sacrifice and truly caring for those around you.  

Think about the people in your life that have had profound influence on your life and career.  Chances are they are people that have loved you and have truly cared about you as person first.  Their main objective is to find ways to help you succeed. 

The formula is simple, once they succeed everything falls into place around you.  The art of leadership is not to get your employees to think more of you, but rather to get them to think more of themselves.

Leadership - Part 3

21.     Leaders should always aim high, going after things that will make a difference rather than seeking the safe path of mediocrity.

22.     The leader teaches by example rather than by lecturing others on how they ought to be.

23.     By being selfless, the leader enhances self.

24.     When leaders become superstars, the teacher outshines the teaching.

25.     The leader does not take all the credit for what happens and has no need for fame.  A moderate ego demonstrates wisdom

26.     If you measure success in terms of praise and criticism your anxiety will be endless.

27.     To become more profound, give up your selfishness.  Let go of your efforts to be perfect or rich or secure or admired.  Such efforts only limit you.

28.     When I give up trying to impress the group, I become very impressive.  The less I make myself, the more I am.

29.     The flashy leader lacks stability.  Trying to rush matters gets you nowhere.  Trying to appear brilliant is not enlightened.  Insecure leaders try to promote themselves.  Impotent leaders capitalize on their position.  Too much force will backfire.  Constant interventions and instigations will not make a good group.  They will spoil a group.   Force will cost you the support of the members.