“If any of you are around when I have
to meet my day, I don’t want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver
the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long…. Tell them not to mention that I
have a Nobel Peace Prize, that isn’t important. Tell them not to mention that I
have three or four hundred other awards, that’s not important…. I’d like
somebody to mention that day, that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his
life serving others. I’d like for somebody to say that day, that Martin Luther
King Jr. tried to love somebody…. I want you to say that I tried to love and
serve humanity.” – Dr. Martin Luther King
Traditionally, leaders were treated as
heroes. Ever since Robert Greenleaf came
out with a new leadership style – servant leadership, the perception towards
leadership has changed totally, and shifted from heroism to servant hood as he
said that leaders are basically servants who lead from the front with a heart
to serve others. When we take the case
of Mother Teresa she remained like a true servant leader throughout her life by
serving the poor and downtrodden in India.
She said, “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in an
ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” Hence,
everyone must contribute and serve in whatever the capacity possible. The present world also needs less of heroes
but more of leaders with a heart to serve others. If teachers serve students
with a heart to share their knowledge and make a difference in the lives of
students, they are servant leaders. If doctors serve patients with dedication
and service orientation, they are known as servant leaders. If engineers deliver
their work sincerely and lead from the front with a servant mindset they are
known as servant leaders. Therefore, whosoever serves in their professions with
a service mindset to make a difference, they are known as servant leaders. Hence, servant leaders never claim to be
heroes but they treat themselves to be servants for others.
Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin
Luther King, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu are servant leaders
who served in their capacities as servants, not as leaders. They did not crave for leadership status but
cared for the common man and the problems of people. Currently corporate world
needs servant leaders to manage capitalism with a servant heart, not with a
capitalist mindset. They must be
protectors and preservers of common good.
They must shoulder responsibility with a vision to make a difference,
not to expect anything for their personal fulfillment. They must lead from the front with a great
heart by treating all people equally with respect and dignity. They must be humble at core and regard
themselves as servants of people.
Therefore, those who serve the people
with passion and dedication with a heart to make a difference are servant
leaders. Servant leaders keep others
interests about their own interests. They are born for the people, live for the
people, and die for the people. These leaders are not confined to politics or
religious organizations, but are spread across all sectors and areas. Their purpose is to have passion to serve
others. Their intention is to serve others.
Their goals are to live beyond their times. They strictly follow the philosophy and
practice to serve others. The present
century needs such mindset and attitude to make a difference in the lives of
others.
"If leadership serves only the
leader, it will fail. Ego satisfaction, financial gain, and status can all be
valuable tools for a leader, but if they become the only motivations, they will
eventually destroy a leader. Only when service for a common good is the primary
purpose are you truly leading." - Sheila Murray Bethel, Making a Difference: 12 Qualities That Make
You a Leader.
Email: profmsr12@gmail.com
Born for the Students
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