Africa’s greatest son, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela died at
ripe age of 95 few days ago. Madiba taught us many things such as real
forgiveness, importance of education and servant leadership- this week gold
nugget.
I first came across this leadership style in a mandate given by our
Lord to His disciples “ ………Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over
the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise
authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be
great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be chiefest,
shall be servant of all (Mark 10: 42-44). Jesus Christ wants us to be servant
leaders.
The phrase –servant leadership – was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in
the “The Servant as Leader, an essay that he first published in 1970. Greenleaf
wrote “A servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well –being of
people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership
generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the top of
the pyramid, servant leadership is different. The servant-leader shares power,
puts the needs of the others first and helps people develop and perform as
highly as possible.” He continued “The servant leader is a servant first……it
begins with natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then
conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different
from one who is a leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an
unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions………..”
We can see that we
urgently need servant leaders in our community and wouldn’t be wonderful if all
of us aspire to be such?
“I stand here before you not
as a prophet, but as a humble servant of you, the people.” ~ Nelson
Mandela
Do have a great week.
Kind Regards,
Tosin ‘Badeniyi, PhD
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