Tag: Light from Many Lamps

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Response to CCBeau – Light of Many Lamps #1

I really appreciated the sentiments expressed in your post. To me, your argument showed that you seek to demonstrate strong moral behaviour towards your followers, which is a characteristic of a Servant Leader (Northouse, 2016, p. 226). I think this challenge is faced by many visionaries who set high expectations for themselves and others. The ability to step back, recognize where you have come from and applaud the accomplishments of the group is so very important. Without doing this, leaders run the risk of leaving their followers feeling unappreciated and unseen and eventually diminish their commitment to the goals of the group.  By recognizing the need to maintain a balance between striving for the next goal and celebrating the accomplishments of the team, you are already half-way to overcoming this situation. In this season of gratefulness, thank you for taking the time to remind us all of the importance of maintaining an attitude of thankfulness.

 

Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: theory and practice (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

 

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Light from Many Lamps Assignment #1

The story I selected happens to be the first one in the book, “The Secret of Happiness is Something to Do” written by John Burroughs. In this passage John Burroughs shares his conviction that happiness comes from doing work that one loves, that keeps one busy and content, and that gives one’s life purpose and direction (Watson, 1951).

According to Northouse, ‘expert power’ is based upon followers’ perceptions of a leader’s competence, and it “increases a leader’s capacity to influence the attitudes, values or behaviours of others” (p. 11). One of the characteristics of Servant Leaders conceptualized by Greenleaf is that they are committed to helping each person in the organization grow personally and professionally (Northouse, 2016). The leadership lesson that I see in this reading is that a natural love for one’s work and a desire to share that passion with others can give rise to emergent leadership through mentoring relationships. This is exactly where I find myself at this stage in my career. I have been blessed to have found an occupation that not only occupies my time but gives me purpose and meaning, and I have a strong desire to share my knowledge and experience with less experienced teachers to help them to become passionate, expert teachers as well. My desire to build and support my fellow colleagues does not arise from a desire to showcase my knowledge and skills, but rather, to demonstrate authentic, transformational servant leadership.

 

Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: theory and practice (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Watson, L. E. (Ed). (1979). Light from many lamps. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.