LeoChat Series – Part 61: Exploring Servant Leadership with Ethan Murphy

Jenny: “What is your first experience with Servant Leadership?”

Ethan: “I'd like to share a story about my first experience with Servant Leadership, as told by Brad Alge , the Academic Curriculum Director of Larsen, during the Larsen Leaders Academy Welcome Event last fall.

Brad Alge said, "Darwin Smith, former CEO of Kimberly-Clark, when appointed as the interim CEO, was convinced that the company was making the wrong decision and even stated that he was 'not qualified for the role.' For a while, he was waiting for the next person to take his role and thought someone else would swoop in, and he was fine with that. 20 years later, no one swooped in. He was one of the best CEOs of his time and one of, if not the greatest Kimberly-Clark has ever had." My reflection is that Servant Leadership is best exemplified by the people who instilled faith in Darwin Smith and assured him that he was the individual for the job, even when he did not believe that of himself. The concept of "Empowering Others" in Servant Leadership left a deep impression on me.”

Jenny: “Can you share an example of your experience with Servant Leadership?”

Ethan: “I was not going to apply for a position I wanted because I felt that it was a Sophomore and up position and I was not qualified. In my head, I counted myself out even before seeing if I had a chance. Someone on the leadership team of this program asked me if I was going to apply, and I told them verbatim what is listed above. The next hour, this individual went through the slide deck with me and really brought me up to speed. They explicitly stated that they wanted me to apply. Someone else taking that chance on me and being forward about their opinion on the matter meant everything to me. I applied, got the interview, and got the position. It was a whirlwind, and it felt great. I would have never felt that way if it had not been for that individual being honest with me and telling me that I should not count myself out.

Being able to articulate and communicate with others and position them in good lighting for their personal ambitions is Servant Leadership. Giving without expecting anything in return, that altruistic nature some people embody, is a gift. Holding open the door for people, listening attentively when others are speaking, and genuinely caring for others are all examples of Servant Leadership. Even if they might seem like little things, they are truly the biggest.”

Ethan Murphy is a Junior at Purdue University's Daniels School of Business. He is studying Finance and pursuing a certificate in Leadership through the Larsen Leaders Academy, where he serves on the executive board as the Vice President of Data Analytics.

The article was written by Ethan Murphy, edited by Jenny Guan. Copyrights are reserved by Ethan Murphy. If quoted, please indicate the source. Thank you.

Stay tuned for Part 62 of 'Leo's Fireside Chat on Servant Leadership.' To be continued.

#ServantLeadershipChat61