Samuel Mockbee Research Paper

“Architects are more inclined to think of themselves as stewards rather than leaders. Architecture is, after all a, service profession. Service denotes stewardship, involves integration and facilitation and engenders a cooperative approach to problem solving” (P.5). Stewardship is to hold something in trust for another, a commitment to serve the needs of others. Samuel Mockbee was a great leader of his profession. He demonstrated leadership characteristics by “cautioning students that goodness was more important than greatness, compassion more eventful than passion” He also believed that “everyone, rich or poor, deserved a shelter for the soul” (Swett, P.268). Architecture at the Rural Studio met the spiritual and social comforts of its clients. The studio conceptualized “to dream great dreams” and had a foresight to understand the lessons of the past, the realities of the present, and likely, the consequences of future decision (P.5).
He bestride upon architects who tend to behave like “house pets to the rich” who have little or no concern for the needier, less affluent class of society (P.267). “Mockbee was a classic example of the leader as a servant of the people, one who unselfishly lends his exceptional talent to serve his community. That ideal and attitude has remained a staple of the Rural Studio” (P.268). Therefore, he can be described as a ‘servant leader’ of the profession. He demonstrated all the attributes of this type of leadership, such as being a receptive listener, having empathy to accept and recognize people for their special unique spirit. He would also heal and transform himself to be able to the serve others, while having an awareness especially about values and ethics of building a community among those who worked