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Robert K. Greenleaf: The Theory Of Servant Leadership

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Robert K. Greenleaf: The Theory Of Servant Leadership
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT_1: DRAFT LEADERSHIP CRITIQUE.
INTRODUCTION:
The world is yearning everyday for purposeful and people oriented leaders. Since the gradual good riddance of monarchy and imperial leaderships in most parts of the world, people the world over look forward to a leader that cares less of him or herself and cares more about the people he/she leads. With the advent of democratic system of government in most part of the globe, the electorates are increasingly looking forward to have a kind of a leader that is a caring leader that will lead them.
And this expectation is not restricted to the political cycle but is also in high demand in the corporate world.
The theory of ‘’servant leadership’ was first popularized by Robert K. Greenleaf
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Larry Spears (2010) defines servant leadership as leadership approach that laid emphasis on service to others, a holistic approach to work, advocating a sense of community and sharing of power in decision making.
And in the world where more and more people are aware of their fundamental human rights, it is only proper that leaders should treat their subjects fairly and equitably.
In addition, employees tend to be more motivated and attracted to a leader that is servant leader with the functional and accompanying attributes that a servant leader possess. Thus, a motivated workforce will naturally perform more optimally. It will be open to discuss its challenges and successes to a leader than the one that is not.
Servant leader tend to be the people leader, because he cares to know how there are faring individual and as a group. He shows empathy and they are ready to assist their subject to grow individually and professionally and their persuasive rather than coercive.

WHY SERVANT
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We carry each other along in the process of planning to execution. We empathize with each and help each other to grow and deemphasize their weaknesses but put more emphasizes on their areas of strength.

In my place we endeavor to listen to different views and suggestions. And every suggestion or view is treated with utmost importance at all times. Followers are encouraged to bring their views about different aspects of the job. And everyone feel important at all the times.

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE:
I am by natural a servant leader. I believe in the servant leadership and it is the very essence of leadership in the first place. A true leader is the one that cares first and foremost about his followers like Jesus Christ (Mark 10:42-45, KJV).

As a supervisor I do consult with my team on every step we take in the implementation of our given task. We brainstorm together on how best we can achieve set target collectively.
And this theory has gone a long way to help me in achieving a coherent team with optimal productivity, where everybody is somebody.

REFERENCES:

Smith, C (2005), the Leadership Theory of Robert K. Greenleaf.[online], Available from: http://www.carolsmith.us/downloads/640greenleaf.pdf. [Accessed: 11th of August,

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