Question

Ten Characteristics of a Servant Leader

In an attempt to clarify servant leadership for practitioners, Spears (2002) identified 10 characteristics in Greenleaf’s writings that are central to the development of servant leadership. Together, these characteristics comprise the first model or conceptualization of servant leadership.

Listening. Communication between leaders and followers is an interactive process that includes sending and receiving messages (i.e., talking and listening). Servant leaders communicate by listening first. They recognize that listening is a learned discipline that involves hearing and being receptive to what others have to say. Through listening, servant leaders acknowledge the viewpoint of followers and validate these perspectives.

Empathy. Empathy is "standing in the shoes" of another person and attempting to see the world from that person’s point of view. Empathetic servant leaders demonstrate that they truly understand what followers are thinking and feeling. When a servant leader shows empathy, it is confirming and validating for the follower. It makes the follower feel unique.

Healing. To heal means to make whole. Servant leaders care about the personal well-being of their followers. They support followers by helping them overcome personal problems. Greenleaf argues that the process of healing is a two-way street—in helping followers become whole, servant leaders themselves are healed.

Awareness. For Greenleaf, awareness is a quality within servant leaders that makes them acutely attuned and receptive to their physical, social, and political environments. It includes understanding oneself and the impact one has on others. With awareness, servant leaders are able to step aside and view themselves and their own perspectives in the greater context of the situation.

Persuasion. Persuasion is clear and persistent communication that convinces others to change. As opposed to coercion, which utilizes positional authority to force compliance, persuasion creates change through the use of gentle nonjudgmental argument. According to Spears (2002), Greenleaf’s emphasis on persuasion over coercion is perhaps related to his denominational affiliation with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

Conceptualization. Conceptualization refers to an individual’s ability to be a visionary for an organization, providing a clear sense of its goals and direction. This characteristic goes beyond day-to-day operational thinking to focus on the "big picture." Conceptualization also equips servant leaders to respond to complex organizational problems in creative ways, enabling them to deal with the intricacies of the organization in relationship to its long-term goals.

Foresight. Foresight encompasses a servant leader’s ability to know the future. It is an ability to predict what is coming based on what is occurring in the present and what has happened in the past. For Greenleaf, foresight has an ethical dimension because he believes leaders should be held accountable for any failures to anticipate what reasonably could be foreseen and to act on that understanding.

Stewardship. Stewardship is about taking responsibility for the leadership role entrusted to the leader. Servant leaders accept the responsibility to carefully manage the people and organization they have been given to lead. In addition, they hold the organization in trust for the greater good of society.

Commitment to the growth of people. Greenleaf’s conceptualization of servant leadership places a premium on treating each follower as a unique person with intrinsic value that goes beyond the individual’s tangible contributions to the organization. Servant leaders are committed to helping each person in the organization grow personally and professionally. Commitment can take many forms, including providing followers with opportunities for career development, helping them develop new work skills, taking a personal interest in their ideas, and involving them in decision making (Spears, 2002).

Building community. Servant leadership fosters the development of community. A community is a collection of individuals who have shared interests and pursuits and feel a sense of unity and relatedness. Community allows followers to identify with something greater than themselves that they value. Servant leaders build community to provide a place where people can feel safe and connected with others, but are still allowed to express their own individuality.

These 10 characteristics of servant leadership represent Greenleaf’s seminal work on the servant as leader. They provide a creative lens from which to view the complexities of servant leadership.

1. Rate yourself on the 10 characteristics of a servant leader.

Answer 1

The ten characteristics of a servant leader identified by Spears from Greenleaf's work provide a framework for leadership that prioritizes the development and well-being of team members, encompassing traits like listening, empathy, and a commitment to growth, which enhance the leader-follower relationship.

Step-by-step explanation:

Servant Leadership Characteristics The concept of servant leadership, as identified by Spears (2002) from Greenleaf's writings, encompasses a range of behaviors and attitudes that are crucial for leaders who wish to serve first and lead second. The ten characteristics of a servant leader include: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building community. For leaders aiming to foster a healthy and productive work environment, these traits serve as a guide to ensure that they are not only focusing on the organization's goals but also on the well-being and development of their team members. These characteristics highlight the importance of listening and empathy in understanding the needs and perspectives of followers, as well as the role of healing in addressing personal problems and fostering a mutually beneficial environment. Awareness and persuasion are essential for gaining insights into the organization's dynamics and convincing others of new ideas without resorting to coercion. Conceptualization and foresight equip leaders with the vision and predictive insights necessary for long-term success, while stewardship and a commitment to the growth of people ensure responsible management and the personal and professional development of team members.

Lastly, building community promotes a sense of unity and shared purpose. These servant leadership characteristics can enhance the leader-follower relationship, addressing the needs of followers who are eager to learn and grow, as well as those who may initially be less inclined towards personal development. Spears (2002) identified 10 characteristics of servant leadership, as defined by Greenleaf. These characteristics include listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building community. These characteristics emphasize the importance of communication, understanding, empathy, and the development of followers. Servant leaders prioritize the well-being and growth of their followers while also working towards the goals and vision of the organization.