The concept of servant leadership was developed by Robert K. Greenleaf and is defined by Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership as “a philosophy and set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations and ultimately creates a more just and caring world.” The essence of the concept is that a servant-leader is first a servant who wants to serve first. After serving, through conscious choice, the servant-leader then aspires to lead. The servant-leader is quite unlike the one who leads first. The two types share “shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature.”
The servant-first type takes care to ensure that the highest priority needs of other people are met. Focus is placed chiefly on people’s growth and well-being both as individuals and within their communities. Servant leadership differentiates itself by the sharing of power, prioritizing of the needs of others, and helping people to grow and perform at the highest possible standard. In the end, the people served become healthier and wiser, more independent, and more likely to become servants themselves. The least privileged in the society also benefit at least by not being further deprived.
If you would like to subscribe to the noble concept of servant-leadership, eCornell (Cornell University’s online learning platform), can help you to achieve that goal through their certificate in Servant-Leadership.