Is the view that servant leaders are weak justified?
The purpose of servant leadership
As its name implies, the purpose of servant leadership is to serve, that is, the needs of people working above, under, or alongside a servant leader.
In this context, it may be falsely believed that a servant leader can go to extreme lengths, when it comes to serving those needs, such as humiliating himself or herself, or letting others take advantage or make fun of him or her.
This has nothing to do with the true meaning and purpose of servant leadership.
Servant leadership is (and should always be) viewed in the light of organizational context and structure.
This means that servant leadership is defined by limitations, in order to safeguard a servant leader’s status and position, and prevent him or her from becoming a laughing stock in the workplace.
A servant leader can avoid such a situation by having a clear mind and a sound action plan in place at all times, which will facilitate the accomplishment of his or her ultimate goals as a leader, through a strong and clear vision and mission.
Servant leaders are hard with themselves
Servant leaders may give a superficial impression of themselves, in a sense that they may appear to be weak.
There can be occasions where servant leaders may seem to be “soft” when dealing with other people.
However, it would come as a great surprise to realize that the same servant leaders who appear to be so soft with other people are, in fact, very hard with themselves.
Contrary to common belief, servant leaders do not behave in this way because they are afraid to confront others, do not want to delegate, or prefer to take full responsibility and put the pressure on themselves rather on others.
They knowingly decide to act as servant leaders, although they may look “soft” and “weak”, in order to set an example, be a role model, and hopefully elicit the same behavior from others.
In practice, this can only be achieved by not sparing, and even sacrificing, themselves, to serve others.
Serving is powerful
In spite of the fact that serving the needs of other people can be regarded as an inferior role within an organization, it can actually be more powerful than meets the eye.
A servant, in general, and not just a servant leader, is widely viewed as a person following the orders of other people, i.e. his or her master(s), who are considered to be superior to him or her.
However, a servant leader, in specific, assumes this role voluntarily, and not as a result of pressure or force from other people.
This means that a servant leader could have a “plan” in the back of his or her mind.
Basically, this “plan” is about how he could turn his or her seemingly weak and powerless position as a servant leader into a highly effective and influential leadership style, and establish himself or herself as an unquestionable leader enjoying overall acceptance, respect, and a high status, and having a strong impact on the mindset and actions of his or her peers, subordinates, and superiors.
No matter how good or bad a person may be, human beings are grateful by nature.
If they are benefited and realize that someone does service to them, they will reciprocate in most cases.
On top of that, human beings are imitative creatures, and tend to imitate the behavior of other human beings.
As an effect, by utilizing the inherent tendency of people to show gratitude to their benefactor and replicate good behavior, a servant leader can multiply the effect of his or her behavior and mentality of serving others, and produce more servant leaders in this way.
Therefore, an allegedly “weak” servant leader is in reality more powerful than he or she is believed to be.
Sources and further reading:
Misconception #2: Servant Leadership is (or appears to be) Weak
Servant Leadership: Characteristics, Pros & Cons, Example
10 Compelling Reasons Servant Leadership May Be the Best, Says Science
Problems With the Servant Leadership Model
Originally published by me on vocal.media