Fundamental Principles of Servant Leadership

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Servant leadership, first described by Robert K. Greenleaf, is defined as a philosophy and set of principles wherein serving is done to make sure that the needs are being met. Through service, better organizations will be built, enriching individual lives, and more just society.
To be an effective servant leader, several principles are proposed based on Greenleaf’s servant leadership that could provide guidance (Sandling, 2015).
* Listening, the first principle is essential in the communication process. A servant leader should know how to listen intently and respectfully to understand what is being conveyed to them adequately.
* Another principle is empathy wherein servant leaders understand and accept people with different points of view. A servant leader must empathize and share the sentiments of his subordinates to understand them in a more profound sense.
* Healing is also another factor that is known to be one of the strengths of a servant leader. Healing, not in the physical sense but instead healing one’s self and others at a holistic level.
* Another common characteristic of a servant leader is awareness of his surroundings as well as self-awareness. Being concerned about the well-being of their subordinates and knowing how their choices and decisions will affect others is essential in becoming an effective servant leader.
* Another principle which servant leader relies on is persuasion. This principle makes servant leadership different from other leadership styles wherein the leader can convince others rather than forcing them to comply.
* The ability to focus on the big picture at a conceptualizing perspective is also crucial as a servant leader. In order to put visions into reality, one must able to look beyond the realities of their daily work. At the same time, servant leaders must also bala...