Servant Leadership

Objectives Define Servant Leadership Name the 11 characteristics of Servant Leadership Determine whether the characteristics are incorporated into each leader’s style Foster (through discussion) use of the style in everyday practice

CALLING  Desire to serve others  Deep rooted and value based  Desire to impact others – never for own gain  Willing to sacrifice self interests

LISTENING  Excellent listening skills  Interested in the views of others  Skill that can be learned

EMPATHY  Can “walk in others’ shoes”  Understands others problems  Perceived as being understanding  Skill that is easier for some people than for others

HEALING  Others want to approach this leader when something happens  Concern for the emotional health and spirit of others  Ability to create an environment that encourages emotional mending

AWARENESS  Keen sense of what is happening around them  Constantly searching for cues  Not easily fooled

PERSUASION  Ability to convince others to do things rather than relying on formal authority  Ability to offer compelling reasons  Never forces others to do things, but allows them to draw their own conclusions

CONCEPTUALIZATION  Encourages others to dream  Encourages others to “think big”

FORESIGHT  Ability to anticipate the future  Ability to anticipate consequences  Adept at picking up patterns

STEWARDSHIP  Desire to make a positive difference for the future  Desire to prepare an organization for its destiny  Characteristic that is key to servant leadership

GROWTH  Strong sense and desire to help people grow  Desire to meet others’ needs to grow spiritually, personally and professionally  Holistic approach

BUILDING COMMUNITY  Belief in an organization functioning as a community  Interest in instilling spirit in the workplace

LEARNABLE CHARACTERISTICS  Listening  Awareness  Persuasion  Conceptualization  Foresight  Growth  Building Community

CHARACTERISTICS DIFFICULT TO LEARN  Calling  Empathy  Stewardship  Healing

WHY BOTHER? Points to Consider for Discussion  Connection to nursing practice  Introspective evaluation of oneself  Reasons to incorporate and instill the philosophy into practice