By: John Mahan, MD
Director, Center for Education and Scholarship, OSU College of Medicine
Professor, Pediatrics, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Most people believe the truest and most effective leader is one who embraces and lives the principles of a leadership style that has become known as “servant leadership.” Robert Greenleaf first coined the phrase and described the servant leader as one who leads by moral authority, and enacts a role that is grounded in human nature and defined by conscience, sacrifice and empathy.
Unlike Formal Authority, which relies on position and is dictated, Moral Authority is earned — it exists because it has earned the trust and commitment of those who have willingly chosen to give it authority. It is this earned quality that makes it trustworthy and effective.
At the heart of Moral Authority is Conscience. Conscience inspires us to become part of a cause worthy of our commitment. Conscience teaches us that the ends and means are inseparable. Conscience underlies the world of meaningful relationships.
The Servant Leader is effective and enduring because he/she inspires, collaborates and empowers others to greatness. His/her behavior is based in caring for others, listening, understanding, acceptance, empathy, awareness and perception, foresight, and a sense for the unknowable and respecting uncertainty.
As educators, we are in a unique position to influence the growth of our students and trainees into potential leaders. Is it possible to teach them devotion to service and caring for others, to value listening and to be empathetic – the true power of leading from moral authority? If so, how can we accomplish this task? Do we merely serve as examples and as sources of inspiration, or are there intentional actions we can take to teach these principles?
I’d be interested in hearing what you do to develop servant leaders in your role as educator.
I had the opportunity to intern with the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership a few years ago and have just recently completed my undergrad thesis answering the question, “How is servant leadership taught at institutions of higher education?” I would be happy to share with anyone who is interested.