LeoChat Series – Part 74: Exploring Servant Leadership with Jacob Brooks

Jenny: "What does Servant Leadership mean to you personally?"

Jacob: “Servant Leadership, to me, means leading by example with a focus on serving the needs of the team or community before your own. It's about empowering others, actively listening to their needs, and fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. A servant leader seeks to elevate those around them, prioritizing their growth and well-being, which in turn leads to stronger team cohesion and success.”

Jenny: “Would you be willing to share a brief anecdote of Servant Leadership?”

Jacob: “In my own experiences, like stepping up at the pizza restaurant I worked at during high school, Servant Leadership meant ensuring the staff around me felt capable, encouraged, and appreciated. Rather than taking control for personal recognition, I focused on how I could support them in doing their best work under pressure. This was especially important during busy days at the restaurant, where we experienced periods of demoralizingly endless tasks and constant customer pressure. A good servant leader the importance of finding the best qualities in a team and empowering them to bring those qualities out. So, during the busy days, I would make sure to identify what my team was doing well, praising them for keeping up with the many orders.

Overall, Servant Leadership is an extremely important skill that everyone should have. It can take a team of people from a distant and unorganized group and transform them into a cohesive and productive team. I know that during my time at Purdue, I hope to refine my skills in Servant Leadership through internships, projects, and leadership opportunities.”

Jacob Brooks is a first-year student at Purdue University's Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. School of Business, majoring in Finance. He is a member of the Larsen Leaders Academy, the Financial Management Association, and a Stamps Scholar within the John Martinson Honors College. Dedicated to his work, Jacob is excited to utilize his four years at Purdue to transform himself. He also received third place in the Anchor and Accelerate Purdue First-Year Pitch Competition hosted by the Brock-Wilson Center for Women in Business.

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

Stay tuned for Part 75 of 'Leo's Fireside Chat on Servant Leadership.' To be continued.

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