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Behaviors of Servant Leadership

Last week's studies detailed the 10 characteristics of servant leadership as identified by Spears (2002) from the writings of Robert Greenleaf. Now that I know the attributes of a servant leader, how do I begin to translate those dispositions into actions and behaviors? 

Liden, Wayne, Zhao, and Henderson (as cited in Northouse, 2019) identified seven behaviors as part of the servant leadership process. Each behavior can comprise multiple actions to accomplish the work of servant leadership. Here are the behaviors with some sample actions that servant leaders take to maintain the servant leadership model:

1. Conceptualizing: deep understanding of an organization’s purpose, mission, goals, and problems (Northouse, 2019) 

2. Emotional healing: showing active support for a person’s well-being 

3. Put followers first: soulful connection with people, customers, and stakeholders  

4. Helping followers grow and succeed: Mentoring is a conscious effort to help followers (Murphy, 2011)

5. Behaving ethically: leading by example and modeling the values that the organization espouses (Kouzes & Posner, 2012) 

6. Empowering: providing the freedom and support for followers to make independent decisions (Northouse, 2019) 

7. Creating value for the community: goes beyond the core business of an organization 

To lead people, walk behind them.

What a crazy couple of weeks. I am in the process of completing my Spring semester, wrapping up a full year of doctoral studies. A full year that includes a summer session. And, switching campuses...as Concordia University-Portland closed after 100+ years and I was tasked with enrolling at Concordia University-Chicago.

Then, there was a sudden shift to "distance learning" as schools have closed for the year. It's been a crazy weeks all wrapped up in a ridiculous set of circumstances. It's hot. It's cold. And, rarely it's just right.

Participating in a tonight's #midnighpedagogy session there was talk about the Goldilocks Option. That got me thinking that maybe this year is like the Goldilocks Option gone rogue: it's too hot, it's too cold, and sometimes it's just right. The problem is the sometimes. But, the sometimes can be sweet. I need to remember that part.

Things change. Options change. And, take time for the sweets. Like WuTan flan. 

f/u = follow up 

I always love writing that abbreviation in my notes. It makes me smile. It’s the little things. 

It seems like I’ve been doing quite a bit of “follow up” lately. Following up with distance learning lessons, doctoral studies, Zoom conference schedules, and DIY projects around the house. 

It’s weird, but I actually like working from home.  I never thought I would. But, now that I am getting used to the pace and the schedule of working from home, I enjoy it. 

My “office” for afternoon calls isn’t so bad, either. 

How do we continue to educate students when they are no longer in a physical classroom? For the past 100+ years, students attended class for 180(ish) days and the magic happened in a set routine. With the COVID 19 pandemic, this is no longer the case. 

Maybe this is the chance teachers have wanted for so long—a chance to redefine the educational landscape. Maybe this school closure is an opportunity radically change school. I don’t know what that redesign looks like right now. No one has the answers. But, I’m having this conversation with others...and I’m optimistic about the changes ahead. 

Last Monday, I received an email from my university stating that they would soon end operations. Simply put, the university is closing at the end of Spring 2020 semester (in early May). As a student who began the doctoral program in the summer session of 2019, it was disheartening and frustrating. Maddening, really.  

How does a school with a 115 year history suddenly decide to close? Like most of the currently enrolled students, I chose this university based on its history and its reputation. How could this happen? Why were we not told before the Spring 2020 tuition check was cashed? The answer: declining enrollment and rising operational costs.

On a personal level, I am faced with finding another doctoral program that supports my given focus...and one that will accept all of my program credits. The upside: several colleges have stepped forward to accept transfers with full credit. So, I am now in the process of selecting another school.