Bell South is not a philanthropic organization. Individuals within it certainly can be, but it is a Business, a for-profit business with share holders to appease. Therefore, whatever the buisness does must have it's own self interests as it's first priority, and that includes the giving away of things (time, money, resources). This isn't the case of those within the business, but that isn't how you couched the post. So I don't think Bell South can exhibit servant leadership. They are banking on the good press it gets them, the fact that people will be more likely to choose their company when the infastructures are back in place etc. I'm not trying to be skeptical here, I just wanted to define that I don't think the for profit business can be a servant leader in the sense you use that phrase.
Big Chris
Because I said so blog
Great comment Chris....I was waiting for someone to bring this up.
First, a clarification: I don't mean to suggest that the primary way a for-profit company exhibits servant-leadership is through giving away their product. Great S-L organizations like Southwest Airlines are successful and profitable because of the way they serve the customer AND because they make smart business decisions.
The point I was trying to make was that this is a great opportunity for the citizens of a city who are in desperate need of some great opportunities. At the same time SouthBell has a duty, and every right, to protect their business interests...as you point out.
I see it as a real dilemma as it pertains to how to best serve the people of New Orleans. What is best for a large number of people in New Orleans is not what is best for BellSouth. So, who should win out?
In the short term, neither will probably win out. BellSouth will give a bit, but the people of NO won't get the best most likely from that give. But it is always possible BellSouth see's there being enough good PR generation that they do go all out and give the good stuff, but again I would bet that's a weighed pragmatic decision on their part. Orgs of that size/complexity generally don't have the ability (or willingness) to make snap decisions and arbitrary decisions. Their systems are designed to protect the system. That's how they've grown so big, stayed in business for so long.
Big Chris
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