Good, interesting list of other contemporary government leaders who are being labeled, or labeling themselves, as servant leaders.
Remember this, Tom? It seems almost quaint or out of date to call a government leader a "public servant." That's too bad.
Think about Robert Greenleaf's original inspiration for servant leader---"Leo" the seemingly humble servant in Herman Hesse's "A Journey to the East." Leo was always in the background, supporting the group, making things happen in subtle ways through his servitude.
Somewhere we seem to have lost that attitude in government leaders. It's almost flipped on its head: If Leo were a typical government leader, he would have been the center of attention, ordering the group members about, not being the quiet supportive leader.
I'm not blaming politicians solely, because I think voters/citizens are the major contributer for the loss of the public servant leader.
The moment someone stakes their claim to being a servant leader, they cease to be one (if they ever were). I guess they forgot about the "humility" piece that Jim Collins discovered in his reasearch.
That is one of the many paradoxes that make servant leadership such a juicy topic.... and why so many "so called" leaders get it intellectually, but they don't get it emotionally or spiritually.
I agree with Jeff - to a point. It's alright to admit how you conduct yourself. I don't feel it disqualifies them in anyway outside of it does seem a little pretentious. I prefer to let their actions speak for themselves. Or as Ronald Reagan said "Trust, but verify." I commend them on their public commitment but I'll wait to see it in their actions before I label them.
Chris, Jeff, and Paul;
Thanks for the comments. I always appreciate other's input on the topics. They make writing a blog much more interesting.
Chris,
Regarding the public servant concept, I can relate. I recently went back to work for the government after swearing never to go back. I think that the idea of being a public servant is what drew me back to that line of work. I think that the concept still exists, but it can be difficult to find in the politicians. In what I see as the real bread and butter of government, it isn't the politicians who are necessarily doing the serving, but the people that work with the people.
Jeff,
In order to not void my claim to being a public servant, I won't claim to be one. I think you are correct that claims to servant leadership are usually a sign to be skeptical. Striving for servant leadership is a great goal, but claiming to be one with out practicing the principles does not a servant make.
Paul,
I do like to see leaders using the language of servant leadership. Maybe as more of them talk the talk, eventually they will walk the walk.
Greenleaf's best test at the top of the Blog Page is ultimately what it is all about.
Thanks again to all for the thoughts.
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