Robert K.Greenleaf (1970) defines servant leadership by saying that it begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Servant leaders place the good of followers over their own self-interests and emphasize follower development (Hale & Fields, 2007).
Spears (2002) identified 10 characteristics in Greenleaf’s writings key to the development of servant leadership and these are; Listening, Empathy, Healing, Awareness, Persuasion, Conceptualization, Foresight, Stewardship, Commitment to the growth of people, Building community.
Summarily, the model of servant leadership comprises three components: Antecedent conditions, servant leader behaviors, and outcomes. The central focus of the model is the seven behaviors servant leaders; conceptualizing, emotional healing, putting followers first, helping followers grow and succeed, behaving ethically, empowering, and creating value for the community. Servant leadership is likely to improve outcomes at the individual, organizational, and societal levels.
Colleen Barret, Southwest Airline’s president’s passion is to serve people. Southwest’s priority is their employees, which takes 85% of Colleen’s, then the passenger and finally the shareholder. Colleen draws her leadership from being a good follower. Southwest changed the airline space from 13% all male flyers in 1971 to filling planes today
John Maxwell describes the 5 levels of leadership are summarized as;
- position.-Rights.
- Permission-Relationships.
- Production.-Results.
- People development,-Reproduction.
- Person-hood. – Respect.