Essence of Servant Leadership: Greenleaf and Yukl
Robert K. Greenleaf’s Perspective
The Servant as Leader
In his seminal essay “The Servant as Leader,” Robert K. Greenleaf introduced the concept of Servant Leadership. Here are the key points:
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Servant First: Greenleaf emphasized that a true leader begins as a servant first. This innate desire to serve others sets the foundation. It’s not about seeking power or material possessions; it’s about genuinely wanting to serve.
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Conscious Choice: The journey from servant to leader involves conscious choice. A servant-leader aspires to lead, but their motivation remains rooted in service. This contrasts with leaders driven primarily by personal gain.
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Caring for Others: The hallmark of servant leadership lies in caring for people. The ultimate test is whether those served grow as individuals. Do they become healthier, wiser, freer, and more autonomous? Additionally, servant-leaders consider the impact on the least privileged in society.
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Shared Power: Unlike traditional top-down leadership, servant-leaders share power. They prioritize the well-being of others and help them develop to their fullest potential.