A leader is best when people barely
know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did
it ourselves. – Lao Tzu
In 0.2 seconds after typing the word “selfies” into the Google search engine more than 17 million results turned up. To say that we live in a narcissist generation is obviously an understatement.
In 0.2 seconds after typing the word “selfies” into the Google search engine more than 17 million results turned up. To say that we live in a narcissist generation is obviously an understatement.
For those of
you who have been visiting another planet and are not up to speed on what a
selfie is let me introduce you to the phenomenon. Selfies, as defined by the
Urban Dictionary are, “pictures taken of oneself while holding the camera at
arm’s length.” In recent months it has become the trendy thing to do and mimic
since the likes of Ellen and other celebrities have turned it more into a fun
fad.
While on the
surface there is nothing wrong with selfies (yes, I have taken one or two
myself) there is a broader or deeper prevailing issue I’d like to explore as it
relates to leadership styles. To be clear, in this writing my reference to
selfies is a depiction of self-indulged leaders and not about the practice as defined
in the Urban Dictionary. My concern is that with the rise of the selfie
generation we are in danger of losing sight of the meaning and relevance of servant
leadership.
A leadership
pyramid I studied some years back by John Maxwell showed that the higher one
climbs as a leader the more rights he or she surrenders. In its place is more
responsibility. My concern is how less rights and more responsibility fits the
narrative of a selfie culture. How do servant leaders emerge from this mindset?
How do selfie leaders measure up against servant leaders? Here are but a few
examples.
Selfie leaders choose style whereas
servant leaders choose substance.
For the
selfie type of leader it’s all about their image. Decisions are made and based
upon not what’s best for the organization or team but how it makes him or her
look. It’s a leadership trap to be sure. Everyone wants to be liked and to be
popular, but servant leaders gave up that right a long time ago. Servant
leaders will stand for and with those who choose substance over image. In the
end it’s about honoring their principles over their popularity. The servant
leader sets the example with his integrity.
Chart courtesy of :Developing the Leader Within You, by John Maxwell. Click on image to enlarge.
Selfie leaders are more concerned
about receiving while servant leaders care more about giving.
Nothing will
more clearly define and set the two apart more readily than this. The selfie leader is all about what’s in it for him while
the servant leader is about giving. It’s all in the math. The selfie subtracts
(takes) while the servant leader adds (gives). It’s a reflection of the heart
and priorities. The servant leader sets the example not by what he takes but by
what he sacrifices and gives.
Selfie leaders care more about their
position while servant leaders care more about their people.
There is no
substitute for the human equation in leadership. Positions come and go, but at
the end of the day the servant leader who cares less about his title and more
about his people is the one who will survive. Selfie leaders can’t help
themselves. Eventually it all comes back around to them. Selfie leaders will do
whatever it takes to protect that which matters least (position or title) while
using the people who matter the most. It’s a sad trap many aspiring leaders
fail to see. The servant leader sets the example by modeling humility.
Max de Pree
said, “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is
to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.” I believe this
leadership philosophy is needed today and is a blueprint for the future.
Servant leadership is not about being a weak leader but rather a strong and
convincing one. The ultimate measure of a leader’s power is not found in the
authority that he or she is willing to grab hold of but in what they are
willing to lay down. It’s not determined
by demanding more rights but in assuming more responsibility.
I believe
now more than ever in the power of servant leadership. What do you say?
© 2014 Doug
Dickerson
I welcome your feedback:
1. What do you believe are the
biggest barriers to servant leadership today?
2. Are the selfie leaders as
described here more the norm or the exception in your opinion?
3. What tangible things can you do to
help build a servant leadership mentality?
1 comment:
The biggest barrier is society that teaches us all the command and control approach to managing people and does not teach servant leadership. This teaching convinces us that our power lies in our power to direct, but have you ever tried to direct people to be highly motivated or to have high morale? No, our power lies in our power to lead because people can be led to be highly motivated and to have high morale.
Best regards, Ben
http://www.bensimonton.com
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