Servant Leadership a Solution to World’s Social Problems, says Business Head

A CEO and experienced business leader says servant leadership provides a practical solution to the world’s social problems.

“I see a great need for servant leadership all over the world, at all levels,” says CEO Kent Keith of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership.

Keith, a former high tech park developer, says he believes the extent of today’s pain and suffering, violence, disease, starvation and unfulfilled dreams is unnecessary, and he faults poor leadership — most notably leaders who are focused on what they can “grab for themselves” — for much of these problems.

But real change can and is being effected through this business leadership approach called servant leadership, a term coined in the early 1970s by a man who studied management for his career, Robert Greenleaf.

The power of servant leadership is its focus, says Keith. Rather than power, wealth and fame as their No. 1 drivers, servant leaders set their faces towards “making a difference.”

Crucial to generating the most effective outcomes is how servant leaders work towards making this difference.

“Servant leaders effect change by identifying and meeting the needs of others,” Keith tells Axiom News.

“They pay attention to what their colleagues need, so they can help them perform at the highest possible levels. And they pay attention to the needs of those they serve, so they can provide the programs, products, and services that people need most.

“By focusing on others, servant leaders are more relevant and more effective in meeting the needs of individuals and communities than leaders who focus primarily on themselves.”
 
Keith adds he believes servant leadership works so well because it is “ethical, practical, and meaningful.”

On the practical level, servant leaders are self-aware, they listen to people, and they develop people. They are close to their colleagues, and close to the marketplace.

Keith notes that Greenleaf's test of the servant leader was: Do those served grow as persons?

“Servant leaders grow people inside their organizations, so they can help people outside their organizations to grow as well,” says Keith.

“By listening and growing people, the leader succeeds, his or her colleagues succeed, and those they serve succeed.”

Today, in addition to the Greenleaf centre, which is an international non-profit organization that promotes the understanding and practice of servant leadership, there are servant leadership organizations around the world, including in the U.K., Singapore, Iceland and Holland.

A 20th annual servant leadership conference taking place June 16-18 in Georgia will explore the approach as a “practical, ethical and meaningful” leadership alternative.

Unique to this year’s event is a tour of organizations headed by practicing servant leaders in Columbus, a city that could be called a servant leader city for its prevalence of those dedicated to this approach.

Conference speakers include Ann McGee-Cooper, who knew Greenleaf towards the end of his life and who will be sharing some of the special things she learned from him.

Howard Behar, former president of Starbucks North America and Starbucks International, will also present, as well as James Autry, a former Fortune 500 executive and now an author and consultant. Autry specializes in leadership and management, particularly in “creating a workplace in which people can do good work, can find meaning in their work, and can share in the rewards — not just professional and financial, but psychological, emotional, and spiritual.”

To learn about other speakers as well as for more conference information, visit this link.

If you have feedback on this article please contact michelle(at)axiomnews.ca, or call the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 27.