The Leadership Style Known As Servant Leadership - 1920 Words

Introduction Today, many would agree that customer service is an oxymoron; there seems to be very little service associated with customers when they have a need after the close of sale. Once the business has received payment, they quickly move on to making the next sale forgetting about their current customers. While this business model may work well for the beer vendor at The Ballpark, it unfortunately does not translate well into other business models. Consequently, the lack of service in many organizations today is an indicator of a deeper problem. Recently a co-worker had an opportunity to help a family in an unfortunate situation; however it was easier to criticize instead of helping. The co-worker showed absolutely no compassion†¦show more content†¦On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus and His disciples were sitting around the table eating when He got up and poured water into a basin, and washed their feet. Afterwards, He instructed them to follow His example of serving others. In John 13:15, He says, â€Å"For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you. He also taught that to be first, is to be last in His kingdom. His message included helping those who are less fortunate. He had compassion toward a crippled man that had lain by the pool of Bethesda for 38 years. In John 5:31-47, Jesus reaches out to this particular man who had given up hope of being healed and heals him then instructs him to take up his bed and walk. In John 9: 1-7, He heals the blind beggar that was born with this infirmity. Jesus’ life is an extraordinary example of servant leadership. However, the actual terminology did not come about until Robert K Greenleaf coined the phrase Servant Leader in 1970, even though the art of servant leadership has been around for hundreds of years (Keith, 2008). It was not until the work and research produced by Greenleaf that this style of leadership has been acclaimed by academicians who ha ve written it into modern day curricula. Corporate American CEOs typically do not perceive themselves to be servants. Instead more think of themselves as the authoritarian at the helm of the corporation sitting atop their organizational pyramid. Of course, the