More handpicked essays just for you.
Defining servant leadership
Servant leadership compares and contrasts to other forms of leadership
Servant leadership compares and contrasts to other forms of leadership
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Due to my past experiences, my personal philosophy of leadership is grounded in servant leadership. Over my six-year career in education, I’ve met some incredibly competent educators. I learned new skills when I had a chance to speak to or observe an educator who brought new and innovative ideas to the classroom. These experiences were rewarding and humbling, and through these experiences, I realized how valuable it is to always surround myself with others who compensate for my shortcomings or inspire me to try something different.
I discovered that schools are community-based organizations. No decision should be made without the consent of the group. I believe in servant leadership, where the leader releases power to the organization’s constituents.
…show more content…
This type of relationship is essential in the educational arena; everyone must be a leader and accountable for their roles, because the principal’s success is contingent on the teacher’s success (Gardner, 2013; Murphy, 2013). Good leaders understand that they must depend on their followers for success and share their power to propel the organization towards the organizational goals (Murphy, 2013). Similar to a football coach, principals set the tone for the school (Tschannen-Moran, 2013). A true leader understands that they are only a component of the process. Unfortunately, when leaders believe that they are the most important part of the system, they do not value the opinions and suggestions of others (Murphy, 2013). I have worked for leaders with this type of mentality, and I contemplated leaving the profession due to the stressful working conditions. Leadership is most effective when they are able to get the most out of each person. An effective leader will assess the situation and make the correct decision to push the person forward or back off. To accomplish this, it begins with a trusting relationship; when a leader shows genuine concern for the constituent’s well-being as much as the task that is desired (Tschannen-Moran, 2013). In conclusion, I aim to be an inclusive leader who allows my constituents to have a “voice” within our organization. I want to provide them with adequate support so they feel appreciated and a part of something bigger than
In a quote from Tom Peters, he states that “ leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.” Working as a lead administrator in a building can have some powerful challenges, but as with anything, the approach is what makes the difference. A good leader will take advantage of the tools around them, knowing that every building has individuals who offer their very own strengths. In focusing on the individual teacher strengths of each specific teacher, a rapport can be built, but most importantly, the outcome will be a stronger building because of the process of spreading the wealth. Ultimately, no teacher in any building became a teacher without being a leader first, and as I have looked back on my own past upbringing through scouting by other educators, I see the outpouring of wealth of experience from those teachers just waiting to make a
The real person who has made an impact on not only myself, but a great deal of people in the community over quite a few years is Ms. Barbara Neiman of Brockton Avenue Elementary School. Working in different fields over the course of her life, Ms. Neiman has had to convert to various styles of leadership. Since she has had to alter the ways in which she leads, I selected pieces from three different practices that I believe best fit her: The Path-Goal Theory, Servant Leadership, and a little bit from the Behavioral Approach.
The importance of servant leadership should not be underestimated and it can be simplified and embodied in one timeless phrase: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. When applied to leadership the result can be phenomenal. Those who wish to serve do so with their hearts, it is not forced nor is it with resentment. The servant leader serves out of acceptance and ownership of their ability and duty.
As a leader candidate, I can understand the challenges and multiplicity of complications that administrators must face each day. However, I will not accept any remote possibility that the students must be affected by some flaws of the school organization. We all as leaders, must be strategic with people, time, and money to guide our students towards an academic success.
Leading organizations of school administrators offer educators various opportunities to encourage educators to become leaders. No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) has mandated that leaders be better prepared for the task of providing quality education to all. NCLB “… is forcing all educational stakeholders to face the weakness of contemporary school leadership and is making it impossible to ignore the need for higher quality principals” (Hale & Moorman, 2003, p.1). It is believed that all educators can be and are leaders in their own right. A leader is a visionary and has the ability to inspire others to aspire to greatness. Of the numerous opportunities that are offered, those that are most beneficial include but are not limited to leadership training programs, professional development, and creating shared leadership opportunities for teachers to become leaders. The systems “…that produce our nation’s principals are complex and interrelated – and governed by the states. Each state establishes licensing, certification and re-certification” (Hale & Moorman, 2003, p.1). States use the ISLLC standards “…as the framework for preparation programs and in service professional development of school superintendents, principals, and other leaders” (Hale & Moorman, 2003, p.3).
Servant leadership can be thought of as an inverted triangle where the leader is supporting the organization at the point. As a result of this leadership style, leaders are more in tune with their teams. They have more insight on their team and the inner workings of their organizations.
Benchmark – Servant Leadership and Christianity Servant Leadership is a leadership style that have been around since Jesus introduced it during his teaching. His style have been tried again and it has proved to work. Different organizations have gravitated to this style of leadership and they have become one of the biggest companies in the United States of America. Example of the company that practice Servant leadership is Southwest Airlines. Southwest Airlines management have practiced servant leadership style that it is now their motto.
Leaders in the school have hard decisions to help make on a daily basis. They need to evaluate their decisions to make sure they are ethical and effective. Administrators need to listen to all sides of a situation and evaluate all options before they make a decision. This process is difficult because administrators need to make sure that all parties involved are satisfied with the decision that was formed.
The assignment this week involves a summative overview of the learnings from groups and group processes. The narrative concludes with three topics from Resilient Leaders that relate to Organizational Management and Leadership.
It is my belief that anyone with a desire to change the world would be fortunate to work in education. By sharing my vision with others, and building upon my skills while seeking constant growth, I strive to take an approach to leadership that fosters an effective, nurturing educational environment for the entire school community. By creating this type of environment, as well as through embracing and enhancing my leadership strengths, it is my goal to contribute to society by inspiring people to become better not only as teachers and students, but as compassionate human beings.
From George Washington to Winston Churchill, decades of strong and driving leaders have helped to make the world go round. These great leaders have been known to use and learn certain techniques such as servant leadership, consensus building, ethical choices, and the common good to become significant people that better the community. One may ask, why are leaders needed? Well, in today’s chaotic world, stability is necessary. Leadership is the stability needed that determines right from wrong and that makes decisions for everyone. In the Youth Butler Leadership course, I have solved a community issue with the community project called “Let’s Dodging Destructive Driving”, learned and mastered new concepts of servant leadership to change myself,
Thomas Sergiovanni (2015) describes three essential dimensions of leadership as “the heart, head, and hand of leadership.” The heart describes those characteristics within the school leader that reflect personal “beliefs, values, and dreams.” The head of leadership refers to the practice of teaching and educating. The hand of leadership reflects actions taken by school leaders with respect to management behaviors. (p. 5) Within these elements, there is room for personal choice in how leadership is practiced and it is incumbent on new principals to find an individual leadership style that responds to the uniqueness of each school.
My own servant-leadership training began years ago when I became a nurse. Initially, I wanted to save the world but I soon learned the world was a very large place and I would have to save it one person at a time. Communication or listening with intent has been my primary approach in assessing situations. A great deal of information can be gleaned through body language as well as what is said and not said.
Being a leader, one’s followers will not want a servant leader who is dishonest; this specifies or shows that servant leaders must also have credibility, and along with honesty, integrity, and sincerity is essential to servant leadership. Followers should consider their servant leader to be knowledgeable and highly skillful as a leader in regards to organizational main goals and central business operations. Servant leaders also need to be able to influence their followers through ability to model behavior and relationships. Followers need to see their servant leader as developer or innovator who will shape new methods to old issues or obstacles and unfold new challenges. Servant leaders should always inspire and encourage their followers;
Collaborative leaders have a positive impact in schools. Even though principals are responsible in leading the whole school, those that have the ability to inspire their teachers to follow and share his or her vision, will make a positive impact. Interaction between leader and teacher is necessary to make positive changes. Allowing teachers to participate openly and respectfully creates trust and confidence. Teachers that trust their principals and feel are taken into consideration will work harder to meet and exceed expectations. Honesty, communication, confidence and respect between leader and teacher will lead to great team work.