Servant leadership is the recommended model of leadership which captures the disposition of God towards leadership, the integrity of the release of potential for service and the acceptance of several cultures across the planet. It encompasses the total integration of spirit soul and body, free of any sentiment or bias, and is the key to unleashing the limitless potentials of any individual or corporate entity.
Though not usually spelt out, most leaders in the spheres of religion, politics and at the corporate institutions of the world, subconsciously adopt this leadership model and interpret it from their paradigm. Therefore, the interpretation of several component concepts by most, could be faulty; however, the intent remains pure and free of bias or any manmade concoctions.
Leadership in its original concept has always been about service. It is about serving out your gifts, talents, potentials and passions to humanity within proper contexts, backed up by relevant knowledge and insights. The posture of service is what gives credibility to the concept of leadership; this is because, if you aren’t leading people by service, you are manipulating them.
Misconceptions about Service.
When most people hear about the term service, the following images come into their minds.
- A slave master who is controlling people, giving them orders and they have to obey even when it is against their will.
- Being subjugated to engage in activities that makes you less then those to whom you are serving.
- Consciously taking on a posture by an act of the will, that makes you inferior to the one, or people being served.
- Relating with people from a disadvantaged position because of certain setbacks or incapacitations.
- That in serving others, they’re displaying a spirit of timidity, inferiority or unworthiness.
All of these and the likes are simply erroneous and inconsistent with the original frame-up of the concept of service. These interpretations are a result of the corruption of the fallen nature of mankind, which inhibits the proper articulation of reality, especially with regards to abstract concepts such as these. In reality, service is the machinery put in place for the righteous release and administration of your potentials. What do we mean by the above statement?
Jesus Christ, the greatest leader of all time had this to say about those desirous of leadership: Whosever will be chief (leader) among you, let him be your servant. Matthew 20:27.
When people do not understand that their potentials, gifts, talents, passions, skills and experiences etc, are for serving people, a spirit of tyranny, manipulation, seduction or coercion takes a toll on their person; and so any of these become the guiding principle behind their social interactions.
From political to economic leadership, from spiritual to social and corporate/institutional leadership, the principle of service as the right posture for disseminating our gifts and potentials has been the most effective and most preferred pattern of leadership for social cohesion and the establishment of trust between the leaders and the led.
What are some benefits of servant posture in leadership?
- Proper articulation and interpretation of knowledge and insight for leadership utilization.
- Credibility of the individual, within the context of potential dissemination.
- The security of your leadership abilities from the corruption of the spirit of tyranny.
- A reputation of dignity and honour.
- Wisdom and inspiration for raising effective servant leaders.
Emmanuel Sam