Question :
Respond to below post with 150 words and 1 direct question.
Kouzes and Posner (2012) stated that leadership is the corner stone to success, in which leaders energize and mobilize individuals to achieve greatness by going place they have never been before. However, there are numerous leadership styles and several leadership concepts leaders utilize on the path to success or towards the cliff of failure.
Servant leadership is by far the most energetic leadership concept I have encountered when compared to the transformational and transactional concepts. Transactional leadership typically does not focus on the wellbeing of their employees. Organizational positions are defined by tasks and employees are evaluated the same. Moreover, transactional leadership reacts to employee performance and rewards them for their compliances to directives (Johnson, 2007).
According to Stone, Russell, and Patterson (2004), transformational leadership differs from transactional leadership, because it focuses more about progress and development of an organization. Transformational leaders sacrifice their own self-interests for the greater of the organization.
Servant leadership is not a new concept, the concept can be traced back over 2,000 years ago during the time Jesus walked the earth. The Gospels, in the Bible, are loaded with the concept of servant leadership. "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve" (Mark 10:45, EVS). "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3, ESV). Servant leadership is about serving others, it is a selfless act to devote time and energy to each individual as they grow. It is what a true parent does with their children!
Dennis (2004) stated that servant leadership is a mission of responsibility to others, in which the leader's behavior, attitudes, and values are modeled to the individuals being served. Additionally, servant leadership is an intrinsic gift given to make a positive change that is not imposed, thus empowering rather than controlling.
All three concepts have a similar foundation as they relate to an organization's success, however, there are in-depth idiosyncrasies associated with the different concepts that take a deeper look into individualistic relationships inside an organization. Lastly, I believe servant leadership must not be used to placate to individuals, nor should individuals abuse the generosity of the servant leader.
Kregg
References
Dennis, R. S. (2004). Servant leadership theory: Development of the servant leadership assessment instrument. (Order No. 3133544, Regent University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. http://search.proquest.com/docview/305056102?accountid=8289.
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2010). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
Johnson, N. J. (2007). Leadership styles and passive-aggressive behavior in organizations (Order No. 3273227). Available from ABI/INFORM Global. (304704823). http://search.proquest.com/docview/304704823?accountid=8289
Kouzes, J., & Posner, B. (2012). The leadership challenge: How to make extraordinary things happen in organizations (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Stone, A. G., Russell, R. F., & Patterson, K. (2004). Transformational versus servant leadership: A difference in leader focus. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 25(3), 349-361.