Chapter 10 Questions
- Be able to summarize the ideas of Robert Greenleaf and the historical basis of servant
leadership. What are the unique, underlying values of his perspective?
After working at AT&T for many Robert Greenleaf devoted most of his time to learning more about servant leadership. Before all sources only described what servant leadership should ideally be, instead of actual facts based on research. Crediting all his understanding to the novel The Journey to the East, he highlighted the need to communicate between the leader and the follower. He also describes the importance to care for those who are not as privileged and need help that they cannot provide for themselves.
- How can a person be a leader and a servant at the same time?
A person can be a leader and a servant at the same time by leading through actions. A leader can show others what to do through how they act and help others. A servant can other lead purely through the authority given from a upper authority.
- In what ways is servant leadership like a trait?
Servant leadership is like a trait because some are born with the natural need to help others. Although it can be learned and enhanced through time, there are some people with the natural born talent to be a servant leader.
- How does a person become altruistic? Is this an inborn trait or a learned behavior?
I think the trait of being altruistic is both an inborn and learned over time. Although many people are born with the need to help and care for others, the way one is raised can totally alter their personality. If raised that caring for others is an unnecessary act then their need to help others will lower. If raised to cherish others and to often serve others than their need to act altruistically will lower.
- Distinguish between the following terms: leadership principles, leadership philosophies,
leadership approaches, leadership models, and leadership theories.
- Leadership principles: the foundational qualities that make up a form of leadership.
- Leadership philosophies: ways in which forms of leadership should be approached.
- Leadership approaches: how one uses leadership and forms it with the way they lead.
- Leadership models: different forms of leadership and the outline of how it works.
- Leadership theories: explanations of the different approaches and how they might work when used in real life.
- How are servant leaders different from other types of leaders?
Servant leaders are different from other leaders due to their involvement in the group. They work with the followers equally to serve someone or something else. They are totally selfless and their intentions are totally to serve others.
- What are the three antecedent conditions for servant leadership in the Liden et al. (2008)
model? What other conditions might you add to the list?
- Context and culture
- Leader attributes
- Follower receptivity
- I would add need for action to the list of conditions
- What are the five servant leader behaviors in the Liden et al. (2008) model?
- Conceptualizing
- Emotional Healing
- Putting Followers first
- Helping followers grow and succeed
- Behaving ethically
- Empowering
- Creating Value for the community
- How might contingency theory (a leader-match theory) explain follower receptivity in the
servant leadership model?
If a leaders and follower have personalities that typically get along better then the relationship between them.
- According to the most recent research, what specific leader traits are important to servant
Leadership?
It is important that leaders listen to their followers and make sure that their voices are heard. It is also emphasized that they create close relationships with their followers to build a sense of trust.
- How does servant leadership affect workers’ performance on the job?
It creates a good work environment that encourages them to do better than they would otherwise.
- Explain how servant leader behaviors can create a ripple effect in followers.
Once a leader gives a positive impression of leadership it then encourages the followers to follow in suit. Followers could encourage other followers to do good in the community.
- How is awareness in the servant leadership approach different from emotional
intelligence, or self-awareness in the psychodynamic approach? Can you identify a person
who exemplifies this component of the model?
Awareness in an servant leader is different means that they understand the effects they have on the community around them. While being self aware means that only understand what effects them.
- How does servant leadership fit with the influence component of leadership?
The personal relationships that are built with in servant leadership are very close, and have the capability to influence the followers.
- What are the strengths and criticisms of the servant leadership approach?
The first strength is that it is very unique and put being altruistic as its main component. Then it also calls leaders and followers to be proactive. Criticisms include that it suggest good leaders must put others first, and there is debate about the need of “conceptualizing” in the behaviors.