Welcome to the final blog in our Servant Leadership blog series, To Lead is To Serve! The first six blogs in this series are listed below:
- To Lead is to Serve…A Leadership Mantra
- To Lead is to Serve…Characteristics of a Servant Leader – Part 1
- To Lead is to Serve…Characteristics of a Servant Leader – Part 2
- To Lead is to Serve…Characteristics of a Servant Leader – Part 3
- To Lead is to Serve…Characteristics of a Servant Leader – Part 4
- To Lead is to Serve…Characteristics of a Servant Leader – Part 5
In this blog series, we have explored the ten characteristics of servant leaders created by Larry Spears based on the writings of Robert Greenleaf. These characteristics include: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people and building community.
The mission of SOS Leadership is “to develop leaders that make a difference.” Essentially, we strive to develop servant leaders.
Today remember that you are a leader, and you can make a difference. What sets servant leaders apart is the desire to make a difference, the yearning to be of service. Servant leaders lead WITH PURPOSE and choose to lead ON PURPOSE.
Leadership is a choice! You cannot lead with purpose until you know your life’s purpose, and you must make a conscious choice to lead. Choosing to be a leader isn’t a choice you make just once in your life; it’s a choice you must make daily.
Servant leadership requires choosing to put these characteristics into practice: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of others, and building community. It requires asking yourself the tough questions. Start with the reflection questions presented throughout this blog series, and use these questions to challenge yourself to lead at a higher level.
Servant leadership isn’t just a powerful concept; it’s a way of life. It offers a path to transform yourself and those you lead. Will you accept the invitation?
Go make a difference!
And always remember:
To lead is to serve.
To serve is to lead.