Successful Servant Leadership!
Brian Host
Head of Junior School, Presenter, Coach & aspiring Author. MEdLead, Google Innovator & Trainer, Director of ICTENSW & Gymnastics Coach.
Lessons for a Long Weekend
This Easter long weekend is a time for reflection and remembrance within the Christian calendar. As such, it offers a perfect opportunity to explore the concept of servant leadership and how historical leaders exemplified this approach.
In this blog post, I will explore the immense value servant leadership holds for educators in today's modern schools due to its ability to address the complex challenges and needs of contemporary education (Larson & Sweeney, 2013). It promotes a student-centred approach, aligning with contemporary educational philosophies that prioritise individualised learning and student wellbeing (Larson & Sweeney, 2013; Sprenger, 2017). By focusing on the needs and growth of each student, educators can create inclusive and engaging learning environments that cater to diverse learning styles and backgrounds (Sprenger, 2017).
Servant leadership is driven by serving others over seeking power. It's about core principles like humility, selflessness, compassion, dignity, respect, and fostering intelligent dialogue (Larson & Sweeney, 2013). These timeless values are highly relevant in educational settings. In an era where social and emotional skills are recognised as essential for success, servant leadership provides a framework for educators to cultivate these skills in themselves and their students (Larson & Sweeney, 2013; Sprenger, 2017). By modelling empathy, respect, and collaboration, educators can help students develop the interpersonal skills needed to thrive in an interconnected world.
Fostering Community and Collaboration
Modern education emphasises collaborative learning and interdisciplinary approaches. Servant leadership fosters a culture of collaboration by encouraging open communication, teamwork, and shared decision-making (Lick & Lick, 2015). This collaborative environment is essential for addressing complex educational challenges and preparing students for collaborative work environments.
Servant leadership encourages open and honest communication among all members of the school community. Leaders who practise servant leadership are approachable and willing to listen to the concerns and ideas of teachers, students, and parents (Lick & Lick, 2015). This open communication fosters trust and strengthens relationships within the school community (Sprenger, 2017).
Servant leaders recognise and value the diversity of perspectives and experiences within the school community. They create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and heard, regardless of their background or opinions (Lick & Lick, 2015). This respect for diverse viewpoints encourages creativity and innovation, as different ideas are welcomed and considered (Sprenger, 2017).
As a result of this respect, the enhanced student engagement can support creating a positive and inclusive school culture. When educators prioritise building meaningful relationships with students, it fosters a sense of belonging and motivation to learn (Sprenger, 2017). This engagement is critical for improving student outcomes and creating a conducive learning environment.
Servant leaders are skilled listeners who seek to understand the needs and concerns of others. They listen with empathy and compassion, which helps to build trust and rapport with teachers, students, and parents. By actively listening to others, servant leaders can identify areas for improvement and work collaboratively to find solutions. This emphasis on empathy and emotional intelligence is valuable for building strong relationships with students, colleagues, and parents (Lick & Lick, 2015).
By fostering a sense of community and collaboration, servant leadership creates a positive learning environment where students feel valued and supported. This positive environment has a direct impact on academic, social, and emotional outcomes, as students are more engaged and motivated to learn (Lick & Lick, 2015; Sprenger, 2017).
Servant leadership in education promotes a culture of respect, empathy, and collaboration, which benefits the entire school community.
Leading by Example
Jesus' leadership was characterised by leading through example, teaching not just through words but through his actions. School leaders can draw inspiration from this approach, understanding that their actions speak louder than words (Northouse, 2016).
Servant leadership in schools involves leaders actively demonstrating selflessness, compassion, and respect in their interactions with teachers, students, and the wider community. This means being willing to listen, empathise, and support others, even when it may be challenging or inconvenient.
By embodying these values, school leaders create a culture where everyone feels valued and supported. Teachers are more likely to feel motivated and empowered to create positive learning environments, and students are more likely to thrive both academically and emotionally (Lengua & Lopez, 2016). This approach fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, where everyone works together towards common goals.
In essence, school leaders who embody servant leadership values inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect that enhances the overall wellbeing and success of the school community (Northouse, 2016).
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Prioritising Teacher wellbeing
A key aspect of servant leadership is focusing on the wellbeing of others (Lashway, 2007). In schools, this translates to prioritising teacher wellbeing (Beaudin & Boisvert, 2016). When educators feel supported and valued, they are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and effective in their roles (Lashway, 2007).?
By adopting a servant leadership mindset, school leaders can create a culture of care and support within the school community. This can lead to improved teacher retention rates, as educators are more likely to stay in a school where they feel valued and supported. Additionally, prioritising teacher wellbeing can increase job satisfaction, which can have a positive impact on teacher performance and overall school climate (Lashway, 2007;Beaudin & Boisvert, 2016).
Empowering Others
Servant leadership in schools also translates into providing teachers with the necessary support, resources, and autonomy to excel in their roles (Hall & Avolio, 2000; Hall, 2014).
One key aspect of servant leadership in schools is trusting teachers' decision-making abilities. Leaders who practise servant leadership recognise that teachers are experts in their field and understand their students' needs best (Hall, 2014). By trusting teachers to make decisions about their classrooms and teaching methods, leaders empower them to take ownership of their work, leading to increased morale (Hall & Avolio, 2000; Hall, 2014).
The Impact on Student Outcomes
Servant leadership's impact on student outcomes is profound, extending beyond the direct influence on educators to shape the overall school culture (Greenleaf, 1977). By embodying principles of empathy, service, and stewardship, educators create environments where students feel safe, supported, and valued. This positive and inclusive culture has several key impacts on student development.
A positive school culture, fostered by servant leadership, promotes engagement and motivation among students (Greenleaf, 1977). When students feel connected to their school community and believe their teachers care about their success, they are more likely to apply themselves academically, leading to improved learning outcomes.
Servant leadership emphasises building strong relationships based on trust and respect. This approach helps students develop social skills, empathy, and a sense of responsibility towards others (Lengua & Lopez, 2016; Sprenger, 2017). These interpersonal skills are essential for navigating relationships and collaborating effectively in diverse settings.
Through servant leadership, educators prioritise the holistic wellbeing of students, recognising and addressing their emotional needs. This focus on emotional intelligence helps students develop self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy, which are critical for managing stress, building healthy relationships, and making responsible decisions (Greenleaf, 1977; Lengua & Lopez, 2016).
Servant leadership encourages a growth mindset, where challenges are seen as opportunities for learning and development (Lengua & Lopez, 2016). This mindset fosters resilience and perseverance, enabling students to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals (Greenleaf, 1977).
In essence, servant leadership offers valuable lessons for educators looking to enhance their leadership skills and create positive change in their schools (Spears, 2010). In education, it can foster a culture of care, support, and collaboration, where everyone feels valued and respected. It creates a nurturing and empowering environment where students are encouraged to explore their interests, develop their talents, and cultivate a lifelong love for learning. By embodying the principles of selflessness, compassion, respect, and intelligent dialogue, educators can create positive change in their schools and communities, enriching the lives of all those they serve.
Stay the Course!
References
Entrepreneurial Design Innovator??creating opportunities for communities to grow by design. Board Member of Immersehigh.Inc,Australian School of Entrepreneur
7 个月As always on point Brian, the aim of every human interaction should be to bring about growth in all interactee’s. #empathy #humility #vulnerability = #wisdom Both online and off! #goals for me anyway, sometimes I fail, sometimes I succeed. #life
Classroom Teacher | Master of Education - MEd (Leadership) | ISTAA Experienced Teacher Science of learning | Mentoring | ADHD advocate Spark curiosity, foster imagination, make new learning stick.
7 个月I think this can be operationalised in the little things leaders do. The servant leader is the principal who walks around the premise of the school at 6:30am every morning to pick up any rubbish, its the leader who writes handwritten notes of encouragement regularly to all staff, it’s the leader who knows the names of your kids and spouse, its the leaders who when the casuals dried up they stepped in to cover the class so teachers could have release, it’s the leader who does the dirty jobs like taking out bins at the year 6 farewell or putting out the chairs so the teacher don’t needs to stay too late, it’s the leader who makes sure they are the first and last at the carnivals to support staff setting and packing down. These are all real world examples I’ve seen first hand with outstanding servant leaders I’ve had the privilege of working with- it ain’t necessarily flashy or pretty or even visible most of the time but geez it makes a profound difference.
Life & Business Strategist. MBA, MA Psychology, ICF. CEO, Kaspari Life Academy. Host of the Unshakeable People Podcast. Habits & Behaviour Design, Neuroscience. I shape MINDS and build LEADERS.
7 个月Practicing servant leadership in education is truly impactful in creating a nurturing environment for everyone involved. ?? #EducationTransforms Brian Host
Senior Lecturer at Australian Catholic University
7 个月Brian Host a wonderful reflection, with an important caveat. Greenleaf's defining test remains the heart of SL, and one that is often overlooked: "Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society; will they benefit, or, at least, not be further deprived?" (Greenleaf, 1977, pp. 13-14). The objective, then, is for others not to be served, but to come to be servants themselves. Without this, SL can be misapplied, especially in cultures not conducive to its framing, and this can end in being taken for granted. Its beauty can also be a broken mirror if not embraced by all within the community.
Assistant Head of Junior School
7 个月Thanks Brian, I love servant leadership - it certainly has cultural benefits and Jesus was an amazing role model for this. 'Hacking leadership' by Joe Sanfelippo raised one challenging point for me the other day - that leaders can often mistake when they should apply servant leadership. He described how self-sacrifice can sometimes work against the interests of the organisation. Especially if the servant leader creates a culture of dependency, or if they make decisions that appear weak or short-sighted, or if they are working harder to serve others and not maintain a good work-life balance. Sanfelippo described a model called 'Others-focused leadership' as a way of balancing the strengths of multiple leadership styles. I don't think this is a true model, but of course this is all contextual and refers to moments that demand other leaderships styles aside from servant leadership. Still it's worthwhile recognising its strengths AND weaknesses.