Unit 10 – Learning Activity 1 – What Can I Say?
My first thought that comes to mind is, ‘Wow!” I have had a lot of fun learning, chatting with other students, and really coming to understand what it is to be a leader. One section that Northouse wrote in his book Leadership: Theory and Practice (2019) is on Transformational Leadership. Northouse writes concerning the definition of transformational leadership that leaders are seen as people who tap the motives of followers in order to better reach the goals of leaders and followers. Leadership is quite different from power because it is inseparable from followers needs (2019). Transformational leadership is the process whereby a person engages with others and creates a connection that raises the level of motivation and morality in both the leader and the follower (2019). I am a pastor in a very hierarchical, bureaucratic organization. I have learned that I need to put my feelings of self-empowerment aside and focus that on others and what their needs are for the betterment of the organization, and the Kingdom of God, as a whole.
Secondly, in regards to others, in Northouse’ concept of Servant Leadership. This term is attributed to Greenleaf (1970). He says that servant leadership begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead…The different manifests itself i the care taken by the servant – first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served (Greenleaf, 1970). Like transformational leadership there is a focus around others. I tend to apply this in my own organization through actually listening to what employee’s have to say and taking it to heart. There is a focus on building community and having a real sense of purpose for what in important and what needs to be done.
It is said that the Founder of The Salvation Army, General William Booth, once sent a telegram to officers around the world to remind them of the main focus of their work. The telegram contained only one word – “others.” That single word captured the foundation for the entire organization.
“Others.” ~ Gen. William Booth
About Others. (2017). Retrieved November 28, 2018, from https://www.tradeforhope.com/about-others/
Greenleaf, R. K. (1970). The servant as leader. Westfield, IN: Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership
Northouse, P. G. (2019). Leadership: Theory and practice, Eighth Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Photo taken from: https://stevesimms.wordpress.com/2014/08/06/full-gospel-salvation-army-style-others-or-jesus-finding-balance/