Question

Think about how your personal values correlate with the principles of servant leadership. How can you draw on values and servant leadership principles to better establish your followership to better serve those you lead professionally and personally?

Answer 1

My personal values such as empathizing and listening skills correlate with the principles of servant leadership. Servant Leadership is a concept in leadership style wherein the leader leads by serving others. The main principle underlying servant leadership is that the leaders give priority to the needs of the followers and the organization over their self-interest. Hence, listening makes the leader to understand and empathize the follower (team member). This would enable the leader to prioritize the follower’s needs over their self-interest needs. Listening helps them to understand and empathizing helps the leaders to accept the people’s view.

In order to draw values, I would first create a trust relationship with my followers. Then, based on the trust relationship, I would build the basis of credibility. This would foster a good relationship with the leader and the follower. Since there is a sense of trust and goodwill in me, the followers would approach me for their needs. I would empathize and listen to their concerns or issues. By addressing and serving my followers, I would build the principles of servant leadership. From my childhood, I have been taught the importance of hard work and commitment. Combined these with my personal values, it helps me to prepare myself as an efficient leader and continue to grow my leadership characteristics both in my personal and professional life. Since my motto is to do unto other as you would have them do unto you, my personal values of giving priority to others’ interest over mine would help me to serve better as a servant leadership.