Servant Leadership in Diverse Contexts

Servant Leadership in Diverse Contexts

The call for organizational and institutional leaders to embrace servant leadership is rising. Servant leadership differs significantly from the traditional forms of leadership that focus on hierarchical structures and heroic perception. While traditional leadership revolves around making shareholders happy, servant leadership takes a different approach. The latter focuses on providing stewardship and ensuring ethics are upheld. Also, servant leadership is based on a collaborative approach, where a leader listens to their followers to enable them to reach their potential and achieve organizational and individual goals. The ideals of servant leadership extend beyond the organizational framework to other aspects of society. Ultimately, servant leadership seeks to create a caring society where the interests of followers and organizations are put first. To that end, different cultural affiliations and religions have embraced servant leadership as a core day-to-day guide.

Principles of Servant Leadership in Islam

According to Gonaim (2016), servant leadership in Islam is primarily based on service to humanity. To that end, religion prescribes that one should have a natural desire to serve their community without expecting anything in return. Also, servant leadership is encouraged to ensure that the highest priorities of their followers are fulfilled. Thirdly, there is a common agreement that success in Islam occurs when followers become healthier, wiser, and free. To that end, a servant leader is responsible for ensuring that happens. Lastly, religion emphasizes that a servant rises to become a leader by remaining a servant. To that end, one should not fight for high-level positions but instead, focus on improving the welfare of the people they serve.

Principles of Servant Leadership in the Chinese Culture

According to Zhang et al. (2012), in China, servant leadership is based on Confucian principles. Firstly, there is yi (appropriateness), which focuses on the interaction of a person and context. The principle calls on people to act on self-contextualization and self-awareness. Secondly, there is li (ritual), which sets ground rules on how people should behave in social relationships. There is also zhong (conscientiousness), which focuses on the principle of sincerity. On the other hand, there is ren, which focuses on a person’s authenticity.

Based on these Confucian principles, in the Chinese context, servant leadership can be described as a collective orientation, which means that people should aspire to sacrifice and serve the community. Also, there is a need for people to practice self-restraint as they pursue their self-interests. For servant leaders to get followers’ loyalty, they should show commitment to supporting their followers (Zhang et al., 2012). Another critical principle of servant leadership, as per the Confucian principles, is awareness about the environment and responsibility to the community. The leaders of Chinese companies are expected to give back to the community through corporate social responsibility.

Other principles of the Chinese version of servant leadership include the culture of listening. Here, leaders are expected to listen to their followers’ concerns before taking any action. Finally, the Confucian philosophy emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and healing. To that end, it is evident that China’s Confucian philosophy informs contemporary organizational leaders’ decision-making.

Similarities and Differences between Confucian Servant Leadership and Islamic Servant Leadership Philosophies

The principles of servant leadership between the Chinese culture and the Islamic religion are largely similar. One of the similarities between these principles is that servant leaders are expected to serve their followers. Another notable similarity is the service to the community and the surroundings. In Islam, every believer with means is expected to serve the community. On the other hand, the Confucian philosophy in the Chinese culture expects corporate leaders to make community interventions through corporate social responsibility.

However, a critical difference between the Chinese and Islamic viewpoints is based on individual emotions. On the one hand, the Chinese culture is hinged on observing emotional intelligence and self-awareness. However, regarding the Islamic view, there is limited attention to individuals’ emotional correctness and intelligence.

Examples of Servant Leadership in the Islamic Religion

Islam is one of the religions that closely holds servant leadership ideals. Muslims believe that servant leadership is critical to individual career success. However, it is worth noting that career success from an Islamic perspective is not only about getting a long-term, well-paying job. Career success is viewed in a three-dimensional framework. That includes getting a long-term, well-paying job, being a firm believer, and offering service to humanity (Zaman et al., 2016). If a Muslim gets a well-paying job that prevents them from conducting their daily prayers, then that is not deemed career success. The holistic approach to servant leadership in Islam also manifested in service to humanity. Muslims have upheld an enduring culture where members who are doing well economically support their vulnerable counterparts (Zaman et al., 2016). Most of the religion’s official celebrations are characterized by get-togethers, where members share meals and other valuable items. Another notable servant leadership trait among Muslims is the lack of a desire to show off their material possessions. For instance, if a member of the religion makes a financial contribution, they do not publicly declare the specifics of their contribution. In a nutshell, Muslims link servant leadership to spirituality and service to humanity.

Besides, the ideals of servant leadership are engrossed in Prophet Muhammad’s teachings. According to Prophet Muhammad, one fundamental principle of servant leadership is the desire to serve the community (Dirk Van Dierendonck & Patterson, 2010). The Quraish trusted the prophet with their property, well aware that the prophet had a solid sense of character. To that end, the role of honesty, service, and the ability to bear the burdens of the weak is revealed (Gonaim, 2016). At some point, his wife, Khadija, recognizes him for his solid sense of service to humanity and his willingness to host all guests. The prophet’s attitude depicts him as someone willing to serve everyone who regarded him as their leader tirelessly. He would sacrifice anything to ensure that the interests of those who regarded him as a leader were served to the letter. This shows that the foundation of the Islamic religion’s focus on service is based on the character of Prophet Muhammad.

Another dimension of Prophet Muhammad’s commitment to servant leadership is based on his desire to ensure his followers’ progression. Throughout his mission, the prophet often encountered and consequently endured constant meanness, cruelty, and even abuse from the community (Dirk Van Dierendonck & Patterson, 2010). However, that did not stop the prophet from carrying on with his mission to spread the message of love and progression. Even those who initially rejected the prophet’s message later recognized its importance and followed suit. The prophet’s teachings emphasized not only social and religious aspects but also scientific and career progress.

Examples of Servant Leadership in the Chinese Culture

Servant leadership in China manifests in the practice of job autonomy. Research has consistently shown that employees with autonomous jobs have a high sense of well-being (Cai et al., 2018). That is because there is limited pressure when performing tasks. To that end, some contemporary Chinese companies have adopted a framework where followers work autonomously without much supervision from their leaders.

Also, servant leadership manifests in how leaders support their employees. In the recent past, China has undergone a revolution that has led to a shift towards innovativeness. To that end, servant leadership has played a critical role in supporting employees’ innovativeness. Leaders provide resources to facilitate employees’ innovativeness with the intent of facilitating them to achieve company goals (Cai et al., 2018). Also, leaders support training and development initiatives designed to enhance their followers’ capabilities.

Conclusion

In summary, the Islamic religion and the Chinese cultures uphold the principles of servant leadership. The Islamic viewpoint of servant leadership is based on the prophet Muhammad’s teachings. Some of these teachings include the need to serve humanity, honesty, and ensuring followers’ highest priorities are fulfilled. Also, the Islamic religion emphasizes the need to embrace wisdom and freedom. Ultimately, servant leaders are judged on their willingness to remain a servant. On the other hand, the premises of servant leadership in the Chinese culture include self-awareness, self-contextualization, a sense of community, and willingness to support followers’ dreams. The Chinese apply the principles of servant leadership in contemporary organizations by allowing employees to practice autonomy in their jobs. Also, contemporary Chinese corporates practice servant leadership by supporting followers to become innovative.

References

Cai, W., Lysova, E. I., Khapova, S. N., & Bossink, B. A. G. (2018). Servant Leadership and Innovative Work Behavior in Chinese High-Tech Firms: A Moderated Mediation Model of Meaningful Work and Job Autonomy. Frontiers in Psychology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01767

Dirk Van Dierendonck, & Patterson, K. (2010). Servant leadership: developments in theory and research. Palgrave Macmillan.

Gonaim, F. (2016). An analysis of the life of Prophet Muhammad: Servant-leadership and influence. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, 5(4), 2319-  7722.

Zaman, F., Hashim, J., & Osman-Gani, A. (2016). Servant Leadership towards Career Success: An Islamic Approach. Gading Journal for the Social Sciences, 1(2). https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/29168/2/29168.pdf

Zhang, H., Everett, A. M., & Elkin, G. (2012). Philosophical roots of servant leadership in the      Chinese Confucian context.

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The purpose of this assignment is to examine servant leadership practices with regard to religions and cultures other than those associated with Christianity.

While servant leadership is often associated with Christianity and the Bible, one could argue that it is compatible with most religions and philosophies and that it transcends cultures.

This assignment presents you with an opportunity to explore other cultures, philosophies, and religions and asks you to think critically about how servant leadership practices are apparent in other religions and cultures.

Begin by selecting and examining one cultural context and one religious viewpoint outside of mainstream Christianity. In a 1,250 -1,500 word essay, discuss the following:
• Explain how the principles of servant leadership are evident in your chosen culture and religion.
• Identify similarities and differences between servant leadership philosophies and the values from your selected cultural context and religious viewpoint.
• Identify specific examples of servant leadership practices evident in your chosen culture and religion.

You are required to locate a total of four articles that address servant leadership in your chosen cultural context and religious viewpoint. Two of the articles should examine servant leadership from a different cultural perspective, and two articles should examine servant leadership from a different religious perspective. The articles must be peer-reviewed and have been published within the last 5 years. You must use and cite the articles within each content area in your paper to strengthen your claims.