FEATURE COLUMN

A SERVANT LEADER

(original publication with Madyaas Pen)

“If we have enough sensitivity, we will come to know how much the world needs servant leaders conformed to God’s will to serve.”

One had to look deeper into the hearts of many aspirants leaders who have been declaring their intent to serve in many ways – from misleading to desperate and extravagant because one knows how much money goes in their everywhere but the mouths of suffering poor Filipinos. I wonder that, if before they seek public office, have they asked themselves how much time and effort are they willing to spare and sacrifice in order to serve selflessly.

As Max DePree quoted and I quote, “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.”

Leadership has always been an issue that affects all of us. Leadership begins from within (Bender, 1997). Character is what kind of people we are. In servant-leadership, this means a fundamental commitment to serving others with integrity and humility. Pres. Noynoy Aquino in his inaugural speech said, “KAYO ANG BOSS KO.” Now this sounds servant-leadership. More importantly, this remains an echo to all of us. All the time, we are watching his every move and decision-making. We are likewise intently watching his cabinet members. In every step that they might and wrongly take, there are criticisms and feedback. People can’t wait to see the reality check of “KAYO ANG BOSS KO.” In school, we are trained to become good leaders. There we start to serve our fellow schoolmates. We show them how to do this and that. You may sound bossy, however, in reality, you actually boss yourself and end up doing what you ask for. It’s a rare case that you can see a leader who also serves you at the same time. Its how a leader “holds a broom and shows his follower how to sweep the floor.” Now this is what I mean of servant leadership.

Jesus said in the bible, "Whoever wants to be first must place himself last of all and be the servant of all." (Mark 9:35). Servant leadership for Christian congregations is defined "as a democratic philosophy of guiding stewardship that values the responsibilities, interests, and abilities of all affected parties, and actively encourages their full involvement in planning and decision-making through study and open discussion toward consensus. The Christian servant leader is one who, recognizing God's sovereign will over all, leaps to do that will with the help of the Holy Spirit.”

In the book How Leaders Gain and Lose It, Why People Demand It by author James Kouzes and it says, “being a servant may not be what many leaders had in mind when they choose to take responsibility for the vision and direction of their organization or team, but serving others is the most glorious and rewarding of all leadership task.”

A good servant leader is one who invests in the welfare and development of his people. A leader with human touch, a leader who seeks to serves first before he can be served.

Three things I learned about servant leadership are first, seeing differences differently. We are of a diverse culture in one organization. The term “respect” of each other differences is the most crucial attitude a leader has to put effort into. There are people whom we also need to understand their differences. We are created equal in the eyes of God, however, our differences makes us a unique individual from each other. Therefore, this is a challenge for a leader to hurdle in order to succeed in a team, office or in an organization. Secondly, investing in knowing your people is another key in servant leadership. Teach your people to acknowledge their skills and talent and what they can do to help you. It’s mutual trust and respect that makes you work together in confidence and make things happen.

To our youth today, especially to those who has an itch to seek political ambition, ask yourself, “Am I ready to be a servant leader? Do I have the courage, the will and the skill to be a servant leader?”

The power of God’s love will lead you into it. As Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Love until it hurts.” Use this love to serve others. Without asking the color of their skin, their political affiliation, their religion, etc. Make love as your guide to desire for truth, to see the good and the beautiful in others as much as ourselves.

A true servant leader has much to give, for you can’t give what you don’t have. If we understand our people’s needs, nothing should stand in our way to help them. In true servant leadership, there is so much to learn, unlearn and relearn. There is so much opportunity out there waiting for you to unfold. Leave your 4-glass-squared table in your 4-corners of your office and see for yourself. Oh yeah, I know what’s on your mind? That there is indeed more things to do but little time and resources? Then move you’re a_ _ off in that table and go to work. You know what I mean? Be a true servant leader and show your people you can lead the change in the world we want to see. Ahh, the third thing I learned in servant leadership is the power of experience. Helping people by being their yourself and feeling what they feel and seeing them thru together is the best thing that can happen to you as a servant leader. Teaching them that they hold their destiny and with your presence and guidance, they will be happy to see it thru. In Greenleaf's terms, "broken spirits and have suffered from a variety of emotional hurts. Although this is part of being human, servant leaders recognize that they have the opportunity to help make whole those with whom they come in contact.”

I would like to borrow what Albert Schweitzer once said, “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: The ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” Therefore, we must serve before we can lead./MP