“Friendly Disentangling” Method.”

Richard P. Nielsen, is a professor in the Department of Organization Studies at Boston College and the author of the eleventh chapter of Insights on Leadership titled “Quaker Foundations for Greenleaf’s Servant-Leadership and “Friendly Disentangling” Method.”

The essay gives examples of Robert Greenleaf’s “friendly disentangling” method of servant leadership that involves practicing the following four principles: (1)”that of Go(o)d in everyone,” in our “prior we” relationship, (2) tradition system entanglements as causes of problems rather than solely individual responsibility, (3) friendly and cheerful affect, and (4) continuing experimental action-learning.”

“Friendly disentangling” is about finding common ground with others, seeing the good in others, understanding them and their history, being friendly and respectful to them, asking for their help to solve problems and to be willing to try out new methods suggested by the people we are working with.