Servant Leadership – Holistic and Multidimensional Approach
My understanding of the servant leadership approach is similar to that of Sendjaya. I agree with her argument that servant leadership is holistic in that it extends over the simple dimensions of servanthood. The most essential factor in servant leadership is the person’s spiritual insights and morality (Van & Patterson, 2010). This explains why most common servant leaders are linked to a religion, like Moses in Judaism and Jesus in Christianity. Another major key to servant leadership is humility. As Sendjaya explains in her multidimensional framework, a servant leader has this sense of mission that their purpose is to serve people, making them humble so that they can place others above themselves (Van & Patterson, 2010). Further, I also understand that servant leadership means that one can sacrifice oneself for the sake of those one serves, as demonstrated by many religious leaders, including Jesus. One has to set aside their personal ambitions and instead help others achieve what they want. This approach is not about leading people, as seen in the other leadership approaches where one, in pursuit of their own ambitious goals, takes charge and acts as a guide or director, sometimes dictator, to their followers (Spears, 2010). Rather, servant leadership is focused more on helping others achieve their ambitions.
Professionally, I have not had many impacts with servant leadership as most people prefer other kinds of leadership approaches, such as transformational and authentic leadership. However, in my personal interactions, with family and close friends, this approach impacts me in a significant way. For example, I believe that for those I care about, I should be helpful and caring to them. As such, I always look for ways to serve them, like helping out with laundry at home, cleaning the house, and any other chores that I can do to help out. Also, I help my siblings with their homework and look out for them always. The same goes for my friends; I try to be a good friend by being loyal, trustworthy, supportive, and caring to them. My actions towards those I care about are guided by my spirituality, principles, and morals.
References
Spears, L. C. (2010). Character and servant leadership: Ten characteristics of effective, caring leaders. The journal of virtues & leadership, 1(1), 25-30.
Van Dierendonck, D., & Patterson, K. (2010). Servant leadership: Developments in theory and research. Springer.
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Question
Servant Leadership – Holistic and Multidimensional Approach
Sendjaya, argues that servant leadership is a holistic and multidimensional approach to leading. What is your understanding of this approach? How does this approach affect your personal and professional interactions with others? Provide examples to support your rationale. Strengthen your claims with supporting citations.