In performing this work, groups apply the Servant-Leader model, described by R.K
ID: 2419716 • Letter: I
Question
In performing this work, groups apply the Servant-Leader model, described by R.K. Greenleaf in his essay, The Servant as Leader.
Research studies indicate that public companies (in a variety of industries) whose managers adopted the Servant-Leader model have achieved higher long-run ROCE, greater free cash flows, and higher credit ratings than those achieved on average by the S&P 500 and the S&P Global 100. (Companies that have adopted the Servant-Leader model include FedEx, Marriot International, Inc., Southwest Airlines Co., Starbucks Corporation, and Toro Co.) Of course, statistical correlation does not necessarily mean that the leadership model used by a company’s managers necessarily caused its better-than-average financial performance or condition.
Identify a characteristic or practice of servant-leaders, as described in Greenleaf’s essay. How might that leadership characteristic or practice lead to superior investment returns and credit ratings?
Explanation / Answer
The modern servent ledership movement was launched by Robert K. Greenleaf in 1970 with the publication of his classic essay “The servant as Leader”. Greenleaf said that "the servant-leader is servant first." By that he meant that that the desire to serve, the "servant's heart," is a fundamental characteristic of a servant-leader.
If there is a single characteristic of the servant-leader that stands out in Greenleaf's essay, it is the desire to serve A walk through The Servant as Leader provides a fairly long list of additional characteristics that Greenleaf considered important. They are as follows,
Let’s discuss how each characteristics lead to superior investment return and credit rating.
1.Listening: Traditionally Leaders been valued for their communication and decision making skill. Even though these two are most important sill for a servant leader, they need to be reinforced by deep commitment to listening initially to others. By listening the leader may get a good idea which he may not had earlier. Listening also encompasses hearing one’s own voice. The servant leader seeks to identify the will of a group and helps to clarify that will. So by listening the servant leader may get a good idea and which lead to move the investment in a right direction.
2.Empathy: The most successful servant leader are those who have become skilled empathetic listeners. People need to be accepted and recognised for their special and unique spirits. One assumes the good intentions of co-workers and colleagues and does not reject them as people even when one may be forced to refuse to accept certain behaviours or performance.
3.Healing : One of the great strengths of servant leadership is the potential for healing one’s self and one’s relationship to others. The healing of relationships is a powerful force for transformation and integration.
4.Awareness: Awareness helps one in understanding issues involving ethics, power and values . Self-awareness strengthens the servent leader.
5.Persuasion: The servant leader seeks to convince others, rather than coerce compliance. The servant leader is effective at building consensus within groups.
6. Conceptualization: The ability to look at a problem or an organization from a conceptualizing perspective means that one must think beyond day to day realites . Its requires discipline and practice. The leader who wishes to be also a servant leader must stretch his or her thinking to encompass broad based conceptual thinking. Servant leaders are called to seek a delicate between conceptual thinking and a day to day operational approach.
7. Foresight: The ability to foresee the likely outcome of a situation is not easy to define. Foresight is a characteristic that enables the servant leader to understand the lessons from the past, the realities of the present, and the likely consequence of a decision for the future.
8. Stewardship: Meaning holding something in trust for another. It emphasizes the use of openness rather than control. Robert Greenleaf’s view of all institutions was one in which CEO’s, staffs, and trustees all played significant roles in holding their institutions in trust for the greater good of society. Like stewardship, servant leadership assumes first and foremost a commitment to serving the needs of others.
9.Commitment to growth of people : The servant leader is deeply committed to the growth of each and every individual within his or her organization. The servant leader recognizes the responsibility to do everything in his or her power to nurture the personal and professional growth of employees and colleagues. In practical it can include professional development, taking apersonal interest in the ideas and suggestions from every one, encouraging worker involvement in decision-making.
10.Building Community: Servant leadership suggests that true community can be created among those who work in businesses and other institutions
If all the above followed and practiced by senior or top management of a company then the growth of the company will be tremendous, which may lead to provide good or you can say superior investment return and when it provide good return the organisation. When athe organsiation get good return it will easily settle all his debt which may lead to get positive credit rating by a appointed credit rating agency.
Hope my above writing is helpfull for you. Please comment.