Blog Post: Link to Servant Leadership interview on The John Adam Show

I also mentioned that there was going to be a good interview taking place on The John Adam Show (KFNN 1510, Fridays at 9:00 AM, Saturdays at 8:00 AM).  This interview last Friday was with Kent Keith, CEO of the nonprofit Greenleaf Center for Servant leadership.  Kent recently wrote a book entitles, "The Case for Servant Leadership," which the show's host had read and was most impressed with.    For anyone interested in hearing the interview, please go here for an archived clip:  http://www.thejohnadamshow.com/web/audio/09_19_08hr1.html  (interview starts about 3 minutes in, and lasts 12 minutes)

As I listened to this interview a couple things came to mind:

Servant Leader as Coach

Servant Leadership, is a clear and emerging model that makes too much sense.  It is the most effective way to lead, and focus on others.  A Servant Leader sees the big picture vision, and develop their people to get their the most effective way possible.  To me, perhaps the best analogy is the coach (can you think of a better one?).

Let's take the game of football as an analogy.  The coach sees the big picture, and where the team needs to go, and what they need to do.  They also see how each player fits in, and what they need to do to develop effectively.  Everything is oriented towards playing the game properly, and yes, winning.  The coach communicates the vision and mission, sets development goals with the players, and genuinely cares about them and their progress.

Often times some tough discipline is needed to develop the players.  The players also need to know the rules, so they can stay in the game.  The players respect the coach, because the coach has their interests at heart.  It makes no sense for the coach to do things that will use the players up, because they won't be able to play well the next time.  So care has to be taken to help them develop in the most effective way.  Certainly a real win-win-win!

Awareness comes first - Servant Leaders Care

But at the core of Servant Leadership is the very heart of the leader.  Some questions to ask towards awareness of a leaders motivation:  Are they really serving others or themselves?  Is the real reason they want to see others develop and win actually for their own self-serving purpose?  The name Servant Leader implies the "servant" part comes first, and is the key to being a truly good, and long-term effective leader.  There are many leaders around, but what are their ultimate motives? 

So this may be the big difference between the coaching model and the Servant Leadership approach.  A Servant Leader will also be a coach, but a coach may not always have the heart of a Servant Leader (however, the best ones do)!  A great coach relishes and takes satisfaction in the accomplishments of their team, and is fine staying in the background.  A coach who does this is very likely also a good Servant Leader.

If you've enjoyed this topic, please leave a comment telling me so.  If it is helpful to you, I will continue to post blogs on Servant Leadership.  If you have a question - even better!  I would love to wax practical on this topic!