Analysis of Servant Leadership

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of servant leadership in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on servant leadership and its relation with management style and type of organization in which it is suitable. The research also analyzes many aspects of servant leadership and tries to gauge its effect on organization and employees. Finally, the research describes various factors and characteristics of servant leadership and tries to describe the overall effect of servant leadership on organization and employees.

Analysis of Servant Leadership

Organization behavior management is an indispensable function for an organization. Department of organization behavior management perform variegated tasks. This department actually analyzes and manages human behavior. It deals with wide variety of topics. Change management, leadership, teams, groups, and learning are few of the topics that come under the umbrella of organization behavior. In order to capitalize and to develop the human resource an organization, adopts different management and leadership styles. In every organization the role of leader is different as different organizations have different structure, culture and business so the role of leaders also varies. There are different types of leaders. One such type is of servant leader. The aim of this paper is to talk about the phenomenon of servant leader. This paper aims to talk about servant leadership from variegated perspective (Greenleaf, 1996).

Discussion

Explanation of Servant Leadership

Greenleaf (1991) coined the term servant leadership in 1970 when he presented the concept that leaders are those who serve followers and that great leaders are first of all servants (Greenleaf, 1991).

Greenleaf (1997) was one of the first visionary leaders to have the courage to question and redefine leadership models. In his 1977 essay “Servant and Leader,” he wrote that rather than pyramids he preferred circles, because they represent shared power rather than dominance over a few. He also compared servant leadership, within a group or organization, to the practice of gardening, which he and his wife practiced throughout their lifetimes (Spears 1996):

“Gardens are more like the inner geography of human beings. They hold unlimited potential within the conditions of the prevailing climate. They teach us through our failures, encourage us to live with and within nature, and are sources of beauty, sustenance, and learning” (Greenleaf, 1991, pp. 11).

According to (Greenleaf, 1996) and to those further developing his model, servant leadership is rooted in providing service to others and this service stems from a natural feeling, or inclination to serve. The concept of servant leadership is one that has attracted substantial interest among many leaders over the past few decades. Greenleaf posited that “the servant-leader is servant first” (Farling, 1999, pp. 33). In this sense, leadership begins with a commitment from the potential leader to serve others rather than pursuing his own self-interest, and this essentially is what is central to a leader's greatness. Greenleaf believed the primary purpose of business organizations should be to create a positive impact on their employees and surrounding ...