According to Robert Greenleaf, the primary motivation of a servant-leader is a “deep desire to help others, a natural feeling of wanting to serve first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served first.” This is especially true for people who have gone through a lot of suffering and deprivation and need healing to once again be whole. For this reason, the servant-leader puts a premium on patient understanding and listening with empathy and compassion.

The servant-leader has an inner serenity derived from an awareness of his own strengths and weaknesses as a person, as well as, a clear understanding of his core values and principles. As a result, he can apply himself to most situations with a more integrated and holistic position. Thus, when making decisions within his organization or community, he relies not on the authority of his position or office but on his ability to build and develop consensus among his people.

To the servant-leader, “power is critical to wield influence.” But the servant-leader uses and shares power “to create opportunities and alternatives so that the individual may choose and build autonomy.” In other words, he uses power so that others may have it and grow. Believing in the intrinsic value of people, the servant leader is deeply committed to nurturing the personal, professional and spiritual growth of his people.

Unfortunately, the way I see it, our culture and system of politics and governance simply discourages the development of such type of leaders. Though the “servant-leader,” is a small minority, I know that this leadership style that I am now developing and learning to be perfected will be the dominant style amongst our leaders and the future leaders. “And though thy beginning was small, Yet thy latter end would greatly increase.” (Job 8:7).

My Face to Face Communication Style

In today’s society, a person who can’t communicate operates under a severe handicap. One of the main reasons employees lose their jobs is not that they lack the skill to do them but because they are unable to communicate effectively with their fellow workers. We constantly hear of the communication gap between government and citizens, between children and parents, between teachers and students, and between husbands and wives.

If you want to get along better with others and if you want to be more successful in life, you will improve your chances considerably by learning to communicate more effectively. Good communication skills is definitely a big edge not only in the business world, but as well as in all other aspects of human relations. It creates a good and lasting impressions on others. Choosing the right communication style entails self-consciousness and self-awareness. The way I see it, I have developed an assertive style of communication. I believe in myself and my capabilities, but the respect I have for other people is no less than my own. I choose to speak with courage, honesty, openness but I know my limitations by not being judgmental. I make it a point to reach out to my listeners, knowing how to control my ideas, so that my listeners can better understand and follow me. When I speak, I speak with substance worth sharing for, presented in an organized manner. And lastly, I believe in myself and in the good I am doing. Thank God for the creative power of speech He bestowed upon me and the fruitful rewards of assertive communication. As quoted by John A. Price, “Communication is not only the essence of human being, but also a vital property of life.”

Reference :

(n.d.). Understanding Your Communication Style. Retrieved March 11, 2007, from http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/sba/comm_style.htm