Tag Archives: servant leadership

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The 3 Main Principles Of Servant Leadership

Servant leadership originated with Robert K. Greenleaf. He wrote an essay titled “The Servant as Leader,” in which he laid out his thoughts on leadership.

His thoughts were new for the time. They’re still valid today, in my opinion.

In this article, I want to look at the principles Greenleaf laid out as he promoted the concept of servant leadership. These 3 principles will help you become a better, more servant-minded leader.

A man praying over another man at a conference

Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash

The 3 Main Principles Of Servant Leadership

In his essay, Greenleaf mentioned 3 items that stuck out to me. They are that servant leaders listen, have empathy, and their role is more in line with a facilitator or an enabler.

These are the principles we’re going to look at in this article.

Servant Leadership Listening:

Everyone wants to believe they’re great listeners. They think they’re able to sit down, have a person explain what’s going on, and just listen.  Read more...

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Quotes And Leadership Lessons From 21 Bridges

A Reel Leadership Article

21 Bridges is a hot new release that faces some stiff competition. Released on the same weekend as Frozen 2, the sequel to the original Frozen movie, 21 Bridges has an uphill battle to win. However, if you’re able to leave the kids at home (or send them to see Frozen 2), you will be able to see a thrilling cop drama.

21 Bridges tells the story of NYPD detective Andre Davis (Chadwick Boseman from Black Panther). His world is turned upside down as a massive manhunt begins for two cop killers, Michael (Stephan James) and Ray (Taylor Kitsch).

Chadwick Boseman in 21 Bridges

The story goes even deeper as Andre realizes something isn’t right with the narrative being told about the murder of 8 cops. There is a dark web being spun. And it’s not by the cop killers.  Read more...

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Gaining The Respect Of Those You Lead

Being Taken Seriously

Many leaders want to be super serious so they can be taken seriously. They believe the more they have a hard-nosed, get it done at any cost type of attitude, the more they’ll be respected.

This line of thinking is wrong. You don’t gain the respect of your team by being hard-nosed. You also don’t gain respect by having a get it done at any cost type of attitude.

Man wearing a shirt saying respect. Standing in front of a leaf background

Photo by Tiago Felipe Ferreira

There’s a better, more efficient way of gaining respect. One you can do without completely alienating the ones you lead.

But how do you gain the respect of those you lead without demanding respect? You follow what I’ll share today.

Gaining The Respect Of Those You Lead

Great leaders know they can’t push people around and expect them to be respected. Rather, great leaders know they can do a select few activities and be respected.  Read more...

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Interview With Garry Ridge – CEO Of WD-40: Cultivating A Culture Of Servant Leadership

Garry Ridge is the CEO of the WD-40 Company. He is also the co-author of Helping People Win At Work: A Business Philosophy Called ‘Don’t Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A,’ with Ken Blanchard and a contributor in Servant Leadership In Action: How You Can Achieve Great Relationships and Results, with Ken Blanchard and Renee Broadwell.

Learn about servant leadership with Garry Ridge, CEO of WD-40

Recently, I had the opportunity to ask Garry his thoughts about servant leadership and changes in the leadership landscape. He was gracious enough to allow me to share his answers with you! I’m excited to let you have a peak at our discussion and what servant leadership looks like.

Interview With Garry Ridge – CEO of WD-40

1. How would you define servant leadership?  Read more...

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Servant Leadership: Each of Us Has an Opportunity to Serve

A Guest Article By Ken Blanchard

Sometimes when I’m leading a session for a big group of managers, I’ll ask, “How many of you think of yourself as a leader?” Usually, only about one-third of them raise their hands. Somehow they think the word leader is reserved for high-level positions like president or CEO.

Book cover for Ken Blanchard's Servant Leadership In Action

But each of us has the ability to influence someone else, whether it be a co-worker, a child at home, a spouse, or a friend. Anytime you are trying to influence the thinking, beliefs, or development of another person, you are engaging in leadership. Of course, there are traditional organizational leadership responsibilities that involve goals and objectives, but if you think beyond those confines, you’ll realize that everyone is a leader—you are a leader—unless you’re stranded on an island by yourself!  Read more...