Servant leadership has been a rising topic over the last several years. It was first introduced by Robert Greenleaf in 1970, where he established a theoretical framework that defines a leader 's motivation and service to others. Many organizations recognize that servant leadership is imperative to their survival and have adopted the concept. Servant leadership can be defined in several ways but there is one vision that has stayed consistent, which is the notion of serving others. The foundation of servant leadership is built upon the act of being a servant first. It starts with the feeling of one wanting to serve others continued by the conscious decision to seek a leadership role. Spears (2013), explained that servant leadership involves
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Spears (2013) lists: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to growth of people, and building community as characteristics. Hunter (1998), identifies honesty, being a role model, caring, committed, good listener, accountability, respect, encouragement, enthusiastic and appreciative as several other characteristics. Out of all of the characteristics that have been identified there are three that stand out the most. Empathy, listening and conceptualization are critical characteristics in servant leadership. A leader that lacks empathy has a poor ability to understand and identify with their peers. People need to be accepted and recognized for their special and unique spirits (Spears, 2013). Without the ability to understand a person 's needs, it is hard to serve them properly. Listening is also an important characteristic to embody. The ability to receptively listen to what is being said and unsaid may be difficult for many. With this skill, the servant leader seeks to recognize the will of a group and helps to clarify that will (Spear, 2013). Listening combined with reflection is essential …show more content…
We have been known to put others before our self. Many times we are putting patients before our bathroom breaks, our rest periods and lunch breaks. Very often a person can observe a nurse go out of their way to serve the patient and families wishes. Servant leadership can be practiced in many ways. Empathy is characteristic that should be used in our everyday lives. Empathy helps others to understand another person 's condition from their perspective. Although many people can continue their daily lives without having empathy for other, it is an important factor that must be considered to fully embody servant leadership. Servant leadership is based on the act of serving other. To serve others you must first understand them and their needs. With empathy you can recognize and understand what the person is ultimately needing. After their needs have been identified we can then serve them properly. As a nurse empathy is a huge part of the job. Nurses must empathize with their patients to provide the best quality care. It is the nurses job to take the time to empathize with their patient, identify their needs and then carry out those needs in a passionate and caring manor. An example of using servant leadership in the nursing profession can be identified as a nursing empathizing with a patient who has been in the hospital for weeks, too sick to leave and too sick to go outside. The patient is hooked up to IV
Spears (2013) lists: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to growth of people, and building community as characteristics. Hunter (1998), identifies honesty, being a role model, caring, committed, good listener, accountability, respect, encouragement, enthusiastic and appreciative as several other characteristics. Out of all of the characteristics that have been identified there are three that stand out the most. Empathy, listening and conceptualization are critical characteristics in servant leadership. A leader that lacks empathy has a poor ability to understand and identify with their peers. People need to be accepted and recognized for their special and unique spirits (Spears, 2013). Without the ability to understand a person 's needs, it is hard to serve them properly. Listening is also an important characteristic to embody. The ability to receptively listen to what is being said and unsaid may be difficult for many. With this skill, the servant leader seeks to recognize the will of a group and helps to clarify that will (Spear, 2013). Listening combined with reflection is essential …show more content…
We have been known to put others before our self. Many times we are putting patients before our bathroom breaks, our rest periods and lunch breaks. Very often a person can observe a nurse go out of their way to serve the patient and families wishes. Servant leadership can be practiced in many ways. Empathy is characteristic that should be used in our everyday lives. Empathy helps others to understand another person 's condition from their perspective. Although many people can continue their daily lives without having empathy for other, it is an important factor that must be considered to fully embody servant leadership. Servant leadership is based on the act of serving other. To serve others you must first understand them and their needs. With empathy you can recognize and understand what the person is ultimately needing. After their needs have been identified we can then serve them properly. As a nurse empathy is a huge part of the job. Nurses must empathize with their patients to provide the best quality care. It is the nurses job to take the time to empathize with their patient, identify their needs and then carry out those needs in a passionate and caring manor. An example of using servant leadership in the nursing profession can be identified as a nursing empathizing with a patient who has been in the hospital for weeks, too sick to leave and too sick to go outside. The patient is hooked up to IV