If you want to change the world, serve the world
… says Kathleen Patterson.
Dr. Patterson is noted as an expert on servant leadership. She coordinates an annual Servant Leadership Research Roundtable on the east coast in Virginia Beach, Virginia at Regent University, where, each year both scholars and practitioners meet together to engage in servant leadership discourse. (from Regents website)
I have asked Kathleen 1) to share in a few sentences what is the core of servant leadership, 2) how the paradigm of servant leadership has impacted her personal leadership practice, and - if it is appropriate - 3) to endorse this blog with a few personal words.
Here are her thought provoking answers:
1) Servant leadership is about leading with a heart of service, what does this mean? It means leading by truly loving your followers, walking with humility, doing the right things for people, being visionary for your followers, trusting in others, empowering others, all while leading with a heart to serve. This is a tall order, a huge endeavor, so much so that many ask why we would even want to lead like this.
2) Well, the answer is quite simple, it is a life changing way to live and lead. I know for myself that best leaders I have ever worked for have been those who truly invested in my life, who believed in me—and I have determined to be that kind of leader, a servant leader. Do I get it right? Well, sometimes I do, and sometimes I do not. But I do keep on trying. The pursuit of service is part of the journey. Servant leadership is not for the faint of heart, but for the brave. You want to change the world? Then serve the world. You will see things that will amaze you, in life and leadership.
3) Let me take a moment to share the imperative of this blog, few leaders will take the time to jump right in fully, this blog will encourage you to take the plunge, to live a life that makes a difference and encourage you to lead with the courage it takes to change a world.
All the best,
Kathleen
How does Kathleens insights compare to your understanding/experience of Servant Leadership?
Are you ready to serve the world to change it?