Comments on: My Leadership Development Goal: Purposeful Servant Leaders

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:42:54 +0000

Welcome, Ashwin. The idea of service outside of self, as you point out, is certainly not new. Neither are leaders that lead this way, and those that don’t. Thanks! Bret

By: Aschwin Wesselius

Aschwin Wesselius — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:54:33 +0000

I guess it is hard to miss if Jesus says in the bible in Marc 10:42-45. That’s servant leadership and it’s not new or original. But it is needed and the only way a leader can lead.

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:49:19 +0000

Concur, Kathleen. Focus on the accomplishment and credit yourself. Thanks for sharing! Bret

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:48:25 +0000

Welcome, Kathleen! You must know Becky Robinson, then, from MSU. Lots of folks think this style of leadership is wishing washy. I think it is MUCH more difficult to practice, and it have a much larger effect on the top and bottom line. Thanks for sharing! Bret

By: Kathleen M. Jackson

Kathleen M. Jackson — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:31:09 +0000

P.S.- My father used to say “you can get the credit or the accomplishment but rarely both.” I think this speaks to the servant leader who will pursue accomplishment over credit every time.

By: Kathleen M. Jackson

Kathleen M. Jackson — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:27:21 +0000

Hi,
I am enrolled in a Doctorate in Leadership program at Mountain State University in West Virginia. I am also the Director of Nursing at MSU Martinsburg. I am absolutely intrigued by servant leadership and your stated goals are of interest to me. Thank you for sharing this.

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:40:49 +0000

Good question, Jonathan. First and foremost you have to be a purposeful actor yourself. People are watching, and you have more influence than you think. You can’t ask folks to do something you are not doing yourself. I don’t know too many of these types, frankly. But as Mary Jo points out, there are probably many out there but they are “under the radar” so to speak. Thanks for the comment! Bret

By: Jonathan Begley

Jonathan Begley — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:03:48 +0000

Hey Bret, thanks for the leadership posts. I am having streaming issues and haven’t been able to see the videos, but appreciate the follow up message. I love the idea of shared purpose but how do you foster that in those around you? I look forward to more posts on servant leadership. Who would you say exemplifies this type of leader?

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:26:12 +0000

You bring up a very valid point, Mary Jo. I have problem fallen victim to the very paradigm that I lament. These types of leaders are not going to be the visible hero types but the critical behind the scenes folks as you point out. We have to look for them in different ways and in different places. Is it possible for these folks to rise to the top? Do we need them to? Thanks for sharing and thanks for the kind words. Bret

By: Mary Jo Asmus

Mary Jo Asmus — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:13:41 +0000

Bret,

Thank you for sharing your goal. We need more like you in MBA programs! As Wally might say, we’ve been talking about this for far too long. If we can begin to change the culture of “me” to “we” early on and gain some traction with young leaders, I believe there is hope for the business and corporate world.

The only point of disagreement I have is the “rarity” of purposeful servant leaders. They are more numerous than many realize, because so many of them are quiet about it. The very concept of servant leadership evokes a sense of “behind the scenes”, so we may miss seeing them if we aren’t looking hard enough.

If we can think broadly about leadership, as not a “title” or position on an organization chart, we find them everywhere; buried in organizational and community structures, leading non-profits and communities.