The servant leadership style is important for those in leadership roles to consider. Servant leadership can be an influential way to empower employees. It allows nurses to be motivated to achieve higher standards in the field of nursing. The main characteristics of a servant leader include; listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, growth, and building community. Listening is one of the most needed characteristics of a servant leader. As a leader, it is important to listen intently to others, be receptive, and have good communication. Being a good listener enables the employee to feel valued (Waterman, 2011). When someone is not intent on listening to others, it sends the message that their
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Servant leaders rely more on persuasion than power and authority to motivate employees to do things (Swearingen & Liberman, 2004). The power of persuasion allows employees to accomplish tasks because they want to rather than because they have to. When leaders use power to force employees to do things, it often ruins their relationship and causes employee rebellion (Hunter, 2012). A leader who uses power to influence employees is not likely to have the employee’s respect. They will eventually lose the power over employees once respect has been lost. Someone who uses persuasion will have respect and be viewed by employees as being trustworthy (Hunter, 2012). With high levels of trust and respect, the workers will be more willing to help the leader in times of need. Another characteristic of servant leadership is the commitment to the growth of other people even at the expense of the leader. Servant leaders ensure that the needs of the subordinates are met. They believe that people have value beyond their tangible contributions as employees (Barbuto & Wheeler, 2007). This makes the employees feel that they add value to the company. Servant leaders do everything they can to nurture personal and professional growth of their employees (Swearingen, S & Liberman, 2004). This selfless act improves the performance of the workers by allowing them to grow and improve …show more content…
Before learning about servant leadership, I viewed the word servant in a negative way. I thought of being forced to wait on people for all of their frivolous needs. After learning about servant leadership I realized that it is more about meeting the needs of others rather than the wants of others. I have also learned that when the needs of people are met, then they are able to function to their full potential as an employee. Servant leaders should treat nurses as ends in themselves rather than as a means to an end (Waterman, 2011). If a nurse is treated as an end, they are more likely to succeed. Finally, I have realized that servant leaders are compassionate and open minded to others opinions. Being a servant leader is not a negative idea as I once thought, but a positive
Servant leaders rely more on persuasion than power and authority to motivate employees to do things (Swearingen & Liberman, 2004). The power of persuasion allows employees to accomplish tasks because they want to rather than because they have to. When leaders use power to force employees to do things, it often ruins their relationship and causes employee rebellion (Hunter, 2012). A leader who uses power to influence employees is not likely to have the employee’s respect. They will eventually lose the power over employees once respect has been lost. Someone who uses persuasion will have respect and be viewed by employees as being trustworthy (Hunter, 2012). With high levels of trust and respect, the workers will be more willing to help the leader in times of need. Another characteristic of servant leadership is the commitment to the growth of other people even at the expense of the leader. Servant leaders ensure that the needs of the subordinates are met. They believe that people have value beyond their tangible contributions as employees (Barbuto & Wheeler, 2007). This makes the employees feel that they add value to the company. Servant leaders do everything they can to nurture personal and professional growth of their employees (Swearingen, S & Liberman, 2004). This selfless act improves the performance of the workers by allowing them to grow and improve …show more content…
Before learning about servant leadership, I viewed the word servant in a negative way. I thought of being forced to wait on people for all of their frivolous needs. After learning about servant leadership I realized that it is more about meeting the needs of others rather than the wants of others. I have also learned that when the needs of people are met, then they are able to function to their full potential as an employee. Servant leaders should treat nurses as ends in themselves rather than as a means to an end (Waterman, 2011). If a nurse is treated as an end, they are more likely to succeed. Finally, I have realized that servant leaders are compassionate and open minded to others opinions. Being a servant leader is not a negative idea as I once thought, but a positive