01/3 2012
Posted in: Books and articles, Servant Leadership
Here is an article that I think is worth reading… The Seven Habits of Spectacularly Unsuccessful Executives. As I read through this article, I kept coming back to one concept – servant leadership. When we dare to look beyond ourselves and to become true servants of others, we won’t have to worry about falling into these traps because our very essence of being a servant-leader would not allow us to do the things cited in this article.
“Everyday leaders face hundreds of challenges to their intentions to be servant leaders and to encourage the hearts of others… Unless servant leaders take care of themselves by practicing habits that recalibrate their commitment to serve rather than be served, life can become a rat race that they have to survive. And the problem with a rat race is that even if you win it, you’re still a rat… True greatness only occurs when the heart, head, hands, and habits of a leader are aligned. With that kind of alignment, extraordinary levels of loyalty, trust, and productivity will result; when out of alignment, frustration, mistrust, and diminished long-term productivity are the results” (Kouzes & Posner (eds), 2004, pp. 115-116).
As we move forward with 2012 (hard to believe!) I continue to challenge myself with being more of a servant leader in all areas of my life as I am encouraging the leaders I work with to do the same. It is a true statement that the more you give the more you will receive. What are we on this earth for anyway but to give to others and to make a difference in as many ways as possible? Do your New Year’s resolutions include finding more ways to serve others?
MOMENT OF REFLECTION
In what ways could I be more serving of others?
Reference
Kouzes, J.M. & Posner, B.Z. (2004). Christian reflections on the leadership challenge. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
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