We hear the term servant leadership batted around in all kinds of businesses. Investopedia has a thorough article on what it is, the pros and cons, and when it is effective.
When I originally drew this cartoon, I thought of how a dog is a willing companion and servant. Then I wondered how a cat would react to such behavior.
This may be have been false advertising. My dog was definitely not much of a servant. In fact, there were some days, I swear I could get our cat to do more for the common good than our dog. Besides, if you had to put one of them in mortal combat, I’m sure the cat would have come out victorious.
Still, stereotypes rule, and not many people have prodigy cats as we had. I lean towards this type of leadership. Yet, there are times when a traditional leader is more effective.
Servant Leadership Advantages
A servant leader is effective in a workplace where teamwork is essential. This type of leader can inspire others not by their vision, but by the way they treat others.
For most of today’s business environment, a servant leader approach is a good idea. Younger employees like to know that they have a voice and can contribute to the success of their company. No leader can know every situation.
A leader that displays a willingness to help their team will inspire others to help each other and their customers.
Authoritarian Leaders
However, there are times when a situation calls for an authoritarian leader. In the military, there needs to be certain command and control. In a battle, an officer must be clear and orders cannot be questioned nor debated.
We also need traditional leaders in situations where safety is important. If an employee refuses to operate a machine safely, the leader must take control and ensure the situation doesn’t cause harm.
As I said, I lean towards the servant leadership model. And for most of today’s workplaces, it has become the best policy.
I originally drew this cartoon for a ministry called TeamCE.
Editor’s Note: I originally published this blog on October 6, 2015. I revamped and updated it for timeliness and comprehensiveness.
