This report will discuss the nature of servant leadership, it’s importance in religious and non-religious settings and how servant leaders impact communities.
SERVANT LEADERSHIP IN A CHRISTIAN CONTEXT
To the Christian community, being a servant leader is particularly about serving others (with good and pure intentions) to create an example for others to follow. This is displayed …show more content…
Therefore, we must be like Jesus and serve others with pure intentions. For instance, if someone were to volunteer at a charity op shop only to look good and to put it on their resume, this would be selfish and the wrong reason to serve. Zahrna Manley also believes that “the intentions behind [serving] shouldn’t be for a title or any form of reward, but rather to just simply serve [others]”. Concluding that serving others is not only about the act, but the intentions of it too. Matthew 20:26-28 describes how a Christian leader should behave. They “. . . must be [a] servant [and] . . . become [a] slave. For even the son of Man came not to be served, but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many”. For Christians, Jesus is the ultimate example of a servant leader. Jesus lived his life for others and served them in hopes they would go do the same. For instance, in John 13, Jesus takes off his robe, and washes the disciple’s feet. He then asks them “. …show more content…
For example, in the Holy Taoist text, Tao Te Ching (by the Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu) a good leader is described as “[at their] best when people barely know [they exist] . . . [and] when [their] work is done, [their] aim fulfilled, they will say ‘We did this ourselves’”. Therefore, Taoists believe that a good leader is one who doesn’t speak too much but instead, leads through example and actions. Just like the Christian understanding of servant leadership, Taoists believe that one of the main qualities of a servant leader is humility. This is shown in another verse from the Tao Te Ching. “Why is the sea king of a hundred streams? Because it lies below them. Humility gives it its power. Therefore, those desiring a position above others must speak humbly. Those desiring to lead must follow. Not only does Taoism describe a leader as humble, but also a