Servant-Leadership: Not a quick fix!
Many individuals that I meet are very interested in developing a servant-leadership culture in their organization. Inevitably the conversation gets around to timeframe. They often ask: How long will it take? Many think that they can have a few meetings, introduce the concept, and away they go.
They don't realize this isn't something that occurs overnight. This isn't a "10 point plan to running an effective business". As those who have successfully integrated Steven Covey's important work into their organization know, it take a large commitment, acknowlegement that there will be setbacks, and a deep desire to continually renew both oneself and the organization.
Perhaps the best explanation I have ever found is Peter Senge's. In his book, The Fifth Discipline, Peter proclaims that, unlike other forms of leadership, which tend to focus on what leaders should do, the domain of servant-leadership is rooted in “a state of being, not doing”.
Servant-leadership is not about action. It is about who we are, as individuals and as a community, at the core of our being. Tough stuff. And it takes time.
They don't realize this isn't something that occurs overnight. This isn't a "10 point plan to running an effective business". As those who have successfully integrated Steven Covey's important work into their organization know, it take a large commitment, acknowlegement that there will be setbacks, and a deep desire to continually renew both oneself and the organization.
Perhaps the best explanation I have ever found is Peter Senge's. In his book, The Fifth Discipline, Peter proclaims that, unlike other forms of leadership, which tend to focus on what leaders should do, the domain of servant-leadership is rooted in “a state of being, not doing”.
Servant-leadership is not about action. It is about who we are, as individuals and as a community, at the core of our being. Tough stuff. And it takes time.
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