CAN VOLUNTEERISM BUILD BETTER LEADERS?

As I ponder the question, "Can Leaders Learn by Volunteering?", I reflect on my own experiences and realize that volunteering has been a transformative journey, teaching me invaluable leadership lessons. Through volunteering, I've encountered three distinct experiences: serving my own interest, serving others' interest, and serving both my and others' interest. Each experience has shaped my mindset, behaviors, and leadership style in profound ways.

Serve My Interest

When I first started volunteering, my focus was on serving my own interest. I chose causes that aligned with my passions and goals, seeking personal growth and satisfaction. This experience was rooted in a mindset, where I prioritized my own needs and achievements. I exhibited behaviors like self-serving bias, where I attributed my successes to my own abilities and blamed external factors for failures. My language was also “me” focused.

I used to say “I volunteer, to give back”- which makes me wonder, what did I take away from others in the first place? Today, I also observe volunteers who do it for their social media moments.

Sadly, while volunteering to serve one's interest can be beneficial, it can also lead to a limited perspective and a lack of empathy for others. Individuals may become overly focused on their own needs and goals, which can hinder their ability to collaborate effectively and build relationships.

Serve Others' Interest

“It is not about how much you do, but how much love you put into what you do that counts”- Mother Teresa. ?

This quote and observing selfless acts by other volunteers, shifted my mindset and focus to serving others' interest. I dedicated myself to causes that benefited others, often sacrificing my own needs. This experience was characterized by a giving mindset, but contributed to burnout. I displayed behaviors like empathy and selflessness, but also fell prey to biases like the fundamental attribution error, overestimating the role of others' character and underestimating situational factors.

Volunteering to serve others' interests can be a powerful way to develop empathy and compassion. However, it can also lead to emotional exhaustion and a sense of being overwhelmed. Individuals who are not careful to balance their own needs with the needs of others may experience burnout and become less effective volunteers.

Serve My and Others' Interest

The most balanced and fulfilling type of volunteering involves serving both one's own interests and the interests of others. This approach has allowed me to find meaningful work that aligns with my values while also making a positive impact on the community.

The downside of this approach are biases. Cognitive biases such as the endowment effect and the status quo bias can influence the behavior of individuals who volunteer to serve both their own and others' interests. The endowment effect can make them reluctant to give up on a project or initiative, even if it is no longer effective, while the status quo bias can make them resistant to change and innovation.

With self-awareness and continuous reflections, volunteering to serve both one's own and others' interests can be a highly rewarding and fulfilling experience. It can help individuals develop a sense of purpose, build strong relationships, and make a positive impact on the world.

Leadership Lessons from Volunteering

The three types of volunteering experiences offer valuable leadership lessons that can be applied to various professional and personal contexts. By understanding the mindsets, biases and behaviors associated with each type of experience, individuals can develop the skills and qualities necessary to become effective leaders.

Serving Me: While this type of approach can be beneficial, it can also lead to a narrow focus and a lack of empathy for others. Leaders who primarily focus on their own interests may struggle to build strong teams and inspire others. However, by recognizing the limitations of this approach, leaders can learn to balance their own needs with the needs of their team members and organization.

Serving You: This approach can help leaders develop empathy, compassion, and a sense of purpose. However, it can also lead to burnout and emotional exhaustion. Leaders who are not careful to manage their own well-being may struggle to maintain their effectiveness and motivation. By learning to set boundaries and prioritize self-care, leaders can avoid burnout and continue to make a positive impact.

Serving We: This is the most balanced and fulfilling type of volunteering and offers the most valuable leadership lessons. Leaders who can find ways to serve both their own interests and the interests of their team members and organization are more likely to be effective, motivated, and inspiring. By developing a growth mindset, cultivating empathy, and building strong relationships, leaders can create a positive and productive work environment.

In my experience, volunteering offers a unique opportunity for anyone to develop essential leadership skills and qualities. By understanding the three types of volunteering experiences and the associated mindsets and behaviors, we can learn to balance our own needs with the needs of others, develop empathy and compassion, and build strong relationships. By applying these lessons to our professional and personal lives, we become more effective leaders, citizens and make a positive impact on the world.

“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”

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