According to Fred E. Fielder, leadership is the exercise of authority and the making of decisions. It is the initiation of acts which result in a consistent pattern of group interaction directed toward the solution of a mutual problem. He also goes ahead to say that it is an interpersonal relation in which power and influence are unevenly distributed so that one person is able to direct and control the actions and behaviors of others to a greater extent than they direct and control his.
By placing his emphasis on the individual, we do not give sufficient attention to the fact that a leader exists, evolves and functions within some particular group. The group determines leadership, either by conferring it or by accepting the legitimacy of a leader appointed by others or self-chosen.
Leadership in different fields is eyed by many people and of course it comes with a title. One ceases to be a commoner and graduates to a higher rank. As people contest for leadership with all vitality and very promising manifestations you can hardly tell what goes through their minds. They are driven by all sorts of motives. Fortunate is the institution whose contesting leader is driven by servant hood.
To some, it may sound ironical ascribing servant hood to a leader. To them, being in leadership means exploiting the subjects; enjoying every benefit in office through any possible channel and lording it over hence making everyone experience their lordship.
Leadership is necessary in every society. Nobody wants to be bullied, as some of the leaders do. People are proud of a leader, who though not in their position horizontally, has a way of fitting in, down to their level. A good leader is a servant leader. As they say, you lead by example and this means practice, while in some instances call for demonstration.
Giving commands from the office and getting on subjects’ necks due to poor performance is dictatorship. When one is in authority, they ought to feel with the subjects, identify with them and somehow fit in their shoes. They should not just delegate duties and then with no follow up demand perfect outcomes. While desiring good results, a servant leader is selfless. He has to make sure that the subject’s needs are taken care of.
He can also go out of his way to see that the skills of those he leads are improved and polished. In cases that need illustration or demonstration, he should be ready to do this. In places that call for people to be out in the field, a leader should make it his goal to model this. Maybe go out with the subjects during the whole project or pay them a visit.
A servant leader is not jealous or anxious of competition from his juniors. While they have potential to rise above him through the nurturing of their abilities, a servant leader should help them on this. He should be glad when they excel and should be in a position to see them bring out their best. Help them exploit their full potential.
Subjects need to be listened to. A leader who is not ready to do this is preparing for failure. A leader should create a platform where the subject’s air out their views, complaints and any issue they need addressed. Communication is vital for every setting and room has to be created for it. The voice of the led should be heard and echoed for the benefit of the institution and also the growth of the leader.
Anyone aspiring for a position of leadership and anyone in it should be ready for servant hood. The title should be followed by performance. A leader, as the name suggests, is one who should lead the way; that is show by all means possible the oath to be followed by the subjects. Dictatorship and lording over, is not the way to go.
Subjects are human and to get the best out of them is to show by action that you are interested in their affairs. This will motivate them to work and everyone involved benefits in the process.
“The son of man did not come to be served but to serve…….I am among you as one who serves” (Mark10:45). Servant leadership was Christ’s method of leadership. His service did not degenerate into servility. He was humble but retained dignity. He showed His followers how to serve, and He demanded no less of those who would carry on His work on earth. Jesus teaches all leaders for all time that greatness is not found in rank or position but in service. He makes it clear that true leadership is grounded in love which must issue in service.
Serve to lead!
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