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Our world needs effective leadership.
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We need more leaders who focus on the needs of others before they consider their own needs.
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Servant leadership is an ancient philosophy whose time has arrived.
Our world needs positive leaders.
When I review the performance of our leaders, I wonder “Where are our leaders who make a positive effect on the world?”
It appears that their priorities are often not for the good of all, but only for the benefit of a few.
Our world is changing at a rapid pace.
These changes are resulting in many new challenges.
To solve these problems. outstanding leaders are needed.
Where are these leaders to come from?
My answer is everywhere.
Let’s help our youth gain the leadership skills required. If they learn leadership at a young age it will have a major impact on the world.
We need more leaders who focus on the needs of others before they consider their own needs.
Service or servant leadership is an ancient philosophy. There are references to it in ancient Chinese philosophy and the bible. The modern version has been promoted by Robert K. Greenleaf in his 1970 essay, “The Servant as Leader.”
When you focus on the needs of others before you consider your own, you are a servant leader. It’s a longer-term approach to leadership. It can be used with other leadership styles.
A SERVANT LEADER IS:
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A Visionary: Develops long-term focus, missions and vision;
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A Listener: Gives others their full attention, doesn’t interrupt and gives feedback;
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A Promoter of Training and Growth: Committed to personal and professional development of team members;
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Self-Aware: They are aware of their emotions and behaviour and how these affect others;
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Supportive: Supports others both emotionally and physically;
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Persuasive: Builds consensus in the group;
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Community-minded: Provides opportunities for participants to interact with one another; and
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Responsible: Takes responsibility for actions and performances of the team.
A SERVANT LEADER HAS:
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Empathy: Understands the intentions and perspectives of others; and
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Foresight: Has the ability to predict the future and understand consequences of decisions.
THESE ARE ALL CHARACTERISTICS OF A SERVANT LEADER.
Servant leaders create more engaged team members.
They enjoy better relationships with team members and other participants than leaders who don’t put the interests of others before their own.
We can help develop these traits and improve their chances of becoming great leaders.
AN EXERCISE: “WHAT MAKES A LEADER?”
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Can be a group or individual exercise.
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Ask them to write down five qualities that a good leader should have.
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If required, you can offer a few suggestions such as honesty or integrity.
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Give them 3 – 5 minutes depending upon their involvement.
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Circulate around the participants or groups and ask them to name one quality at a time.
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As each quality is mentioned, ask how many others had the same quality listed.
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Note how many others had listed the same quality.
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Rank the qualities starting with the most popular.
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Have them discuss each quality starting with the most popular.
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Encourage comments by starting with the newest members so that discussions are not dominated by a few.
REPEAT this exercise regularly!
Repeating this exercise helps them gain a better understanding of their concept of good leadership.
Please share your ideas on how we can assist our youth to learn and practice leaderships skills.
If you require more information, please contact us.
LEARN MORE:
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If so, contact us to obtain a report on a simple and easy system on how to set up group coaching programs for youth. You can do this in the ‘Contact us‘ section of the website.
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Wishing you lots of love and laughter, as always.
Fred Jones
Victoria, BC Canada
Fred Jones