Unit 1 Activity 5: Blog Post 3

Listening is an extremely important characteristic of servant leadership because leadership is a process that involves communication and interactions between the leader and the followers (Northouse, 2016, p. 227). When leaders listen, they are able to understand the needs and expectations of the group. An example of this is at the end of the school year when department heads  meet with the teachers in their departments to discuss the plans and expectations for the next school year. Teachers are given the opportunity to share what they liked or disliked about the previous school year and what potential changes they would like to see in the upcoming school year. Oftentimes, it is up to the department head to implement these changes for September.

Persuasion is a characteristic of servant leadership where leaders convince others to change through gentle yet firm and consistent communication (Northouse, 2016, p. 228). I believe that this is best achieved by the influence that a leader has on the followers and the referent power that is mentioned in chapter 1 of Northouse’s book (2016). An example of this is when a senior teacher notices that a new teacher is struggling with dealing with certain situations appropriately and gives guidance by offering advice and leading by example. The senior teacher should consistently check in with the new teacher to see if more coaching or advice is needed.

Commitment to the growth of people is another characteristic of servant leadership (Northouse, 2016, p. 228). It is important that servant leaders place priority in helping followers grow and develop both professionally and personally. In a school setting, an example of this would be when principals reach out to younger teachers to see how they can give them guidance regarding professional development. In the Coquitlam School District, there is a district mentorship program that pairs administrators with teachers to help them grow in the profession and to take their careers to the next step.

Personally, persuasion is the most difficult of the three for me to incorporate into my practice because I worry that it is unwelcomed or unwarranted. I believe that there needs to be a strong relationship between the leader and follower in order for the leader to effectively influence the follower and for the follower to willingly accept the advice and guidance of the leader.

My question is: Northouse (2016) mentions ten characteristics of servant leadership (p. 228). Are there some that are more important than others or are they all equally important? 

References:

Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.