Servant Leadership in an Unjust World

Good corporate citizen ... social justice ..... fair and equal treatment ... helping others first ... and addressing injustice in the world. Noble ideas? Perhaps. Practical... not very often it would seem. Survival of the fittest and best ... free competition ... cost cutting strategy ... elimination of waste and winner takes all is often the prevailing wisdom. Privilege and entitlement become the fruits of current defined success. What leadership theory focuses on others first and is an emerging theory of sustainable success? Servant Leadership which was first introduced by Robert Greenleaf.

Servant leadership can be seen as an upside down style of leadership. Leaders transcend their self-interest to serve the needs of others, help others grow and develop, and provide the opportunity for others to grow materially and emotionally. The least and last become the first and the most important. This means valuing people of all abilities and strengths. Servant leadership calls for a long term view of human capital investment. In the corporate world, in the long term this investment in people creates success and value where before there was bitterness and exploitation. In the corporate world, this creates a distribution of wealth that creates sales and prosperity for a greater number of people expanding the economic pie. This gives hope for a better future and the hope of stability in markets.

Characteristics of servant leadership include;

• Put service before self- interest 
• Listen first to affirm others
• Inspire trust by being trustworthy
• Nourish others and make them whole

This view leads to the conclusion that the organization exists to provide meaningful work. Listening builds relationships. Belief that through respect for others each person can reach their potential. Humility is an important characteristic of a servant leader. 

The servant leader's top priority is serving the customer, the employees, the shareholders, and the general public. Leadership succeeds because it enables other people to grow and fulfill their intended purpose by achieving success.