Without fail, the series of collected works in part one and two of Watson’s (1951) Light from Many Lamps succeeds with blinding illumination mirroring divine truth upon one’s heart as a means to bombard the ego and replace it with steps towards growing one’s faith and experiencing the true reward from acts of outward service. I chose Wolfe’s work titled, to find happiness we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves because it spoke of how through more regular self-assessment, I can effectively support others in their goals over my own, and second, the value of improved self-awareness.
In reflection upon my career as a means of becoming a more happier and a more dynamically fluid leader, the leadership lesson revolves around developing a more transformational approach towards my team via “transcending my own self-interests for the sake of others” (Northouse, 2016, p. 175). Oftentimes, I will lose objectivity when I forget to consider the goals and needs of those I lead because I am occupied with placing focus upon the organization’s goals, or my own. In response to his commentary that “man’s unhappiness is his own fault”, Watson (1951) points out that it is because people’s unhappiness is a result of looking too long inward versus outward (p. 12). The positive impact of this passage rests on the fact that if I shift more query upon others in terms of their own goals versus my own, that I will directly benefit in more ways than one.
As a follow up to the first point, the author again reminds us to place focus upon others over ourselves as a means to amplify our own sense of peace and happiness. Since both self-awareness and humility act as a catalyst for one another, this interdependent relationship works to avoid the “immediate danger of being bored to death with the repetition of your own view and interests” (Wolfe, 1951, p. 13). Ultimately, the key to Wolfe’s passage is to be continually aware, reflecting upon what false assurances may still manifest when exerting energy away from yourself gleaming greater personal joy in getting your hands dirty in the process of serving others.
Matt
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: theory and practice (Seventh ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Wolfe, W. B. (1951). Happiness & The Enjoyment of Living. In L. E. Watson, Light from Many Lamps (pp. 11-15). New York: Simon & Schuster.
Hi Matt,
I read your post and this story and find that its lesson aligns with servant leadership. Personally though I feel conflicted. I should start by admitting that I am not a servant leader. Servant leadership is something I struggle with as it seems counterintuitive to achieving my goals. I have a hard time comprehending how one could gain fulfillment from this specific type of leadership. While I could see how it might be interesting to try for a short while, or to integrate into a small section of your life, but would one not eventually grow tired of this leadership? Do you have any personal experience with servant leadership? And if so, how do you find it?
Sarah, thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my Light from Many Lamps (LFML) post. You raised some great questions and through your clearly articulated sense of place within the paradox of servant leadership, I can appreciate your conflict. In Leadership (2016), Northouse fires the chapter off the starting block when he states in the first sentence that it is “an approach to leadership that runs counter to common sense” (p. 225); therefore, most people in the world would agree with everything you stated in your reply.
As it relates to my chosen works in LFMP, your observations are correct about my post. In a particular section, Wolfe (1951) states, “the good life demands a working philosophy of active philanthropy as an orientating map of conduct” (p. 13). Presumably, most philanthropists receive an abundant measure of happiness and pleasure when they give of their time, talent and treasures; therefore, similar to Wolfe’s writing, a servant leadership approach produces a pattern typical of the same emotional return when giving attention to others.
To your point and query about growing tired of this leadership, I would have to say that it has always been an approach that equally benefits the leader and the follower. My personal experience with servant leadership falls within two categories – those that have led me, and those I have led with this approach. Ultimately, servant leadership is complex; however, even in the most unsupportive work environments, the practice for me, has always cleared a path for relational connections of great substance and influence as it relates to accomplishing mutual and individual goals. Do not give up on this approach, as it always reflects one’s heart.
Matt
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: theory and practice (Seventh ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Wolfe, W. B. (1951). Happiness & The Enjoyment of Living. In L. E. Watson, Light from Many Lamps (pp. 11-15). New York: Simon & Schuster.