"Men and Women for Others".... a phrase that was repeated an infinite number of times in my years at Jesuit High School. As a freshman it didn't mean much to me, but over the last four years the slogan has been permanently written on my heart. I am a product of a Jesuit education, so I doubt it is surprising to any of you that the model of leadership that resinates with me is Servant Leadership. Servant Leadership almost seems like leadership out of love for humanity. It is seeing what is best for the others and helping them achieve it. A servant leader puts other people ahead of themselves. I think that I lead most similarly to a Servant Leader. I love helping people. I love teaching to see the smiling faces when kids learn. I love serving food at soup kitchens and listening to their stories. I love seeing other people succeed. I love helping other people be happy. A Servant leader wants everyone to be the best person possible. A servant leader doesn't only set out to accomplish a goal, but also want to help everyone in the group succeed and grow through the experience. It seem challenging to help people grow while simultaneously leading. Anyone who can do that I have enormous respect for.
When I went to look for a picture that I felt fit with Servant Leadership I googled the word "empower". A Servant Leader does not simply lead, but he empowers the people around him. The picture above shows this though the linking of hands. If one person lets go the link will be broken and the people not connecting will stuggle to keep their hands up. Although the guy in the middle looks he instigated the raising and connecting of hands, it would not have been sucessful with out the work of each individual.
I love your analysis of a Servant Leader putting others ahead of themselves and caring about other people. It's amazing that you serve kids and people with such kindness and consideration. Knowing people are given hope and love makes it important to be a good person.
ReplyDeleteAh, "men and women for others." The lasting hallmark of a Jesuit education and perhaps the reason I find the Jesuits so fascinating. I'd definitely say this is my #2 favorite leadership style. I especially like the idea of leading by empowering the people around you and challenging each person to become the best version of themselves. That's what I'd call (and I daresay the Jesuits would call too, given that they came up with the term) striving for the "magis"--the "more" in all things.
ReplyDeleteGood reflection!