Will Values Ever Rule the World?

This is the 1st article in a series discussing Servant Leadership…

Where does a business leader find the best advice?

Dale Carnegie, Norman Vincent Peale, M. Scott Peck, Ken Blanchard, and Stephen Covey: each of these authors had a significant impact upon my thinking. For good reason – each wrote from a place of belief, deeply spiritual, and it showed. Simply put, their messages resonated with my personal beliefs. 

I read most of Dr. Covey’s books; however recently, I came across a book foreword he wrote in 2001. He argued that those businesses that wanted to “produce more for less and with greater speed” would have to win the hearts, minds, and spirits of their employees. 

In order to achieve this type of influence, business leaders would have to understand human nature on a different level:

The deepest part of human nature is that which urges people – each one of us – to rise above our present circumstances and to transcend our common nature if you can appeal to it, you tap into a whole new source of human motivation.

–     Dr. Stephen R. Covey

In his famous book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Dr. Covey addressed the difference between values and principles; values, which are sure to differ, while principles are universal and underlie human needs everywhere. Coincidentally, the principles he outlined are professed by all of the world’s major religions.

When I entered the Army, our values were defined by the acronym, L-D-R-S-H-I-P; the “S” in the middle, Selfless Service. In this foreword, Dr. Covey also wrote that we needed “to redefine leadership as service and stewardship.” This resonated further as it aligned with what I had experienced during my career.

Covey’s foreword was preparing the reader for Robert K. Greenleaf’s book, Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power & Greatness. When Greenleaf wrote in the 1970s, he knew that most might not embrace his ideas on humility and a leadership approach from a position of moral authority. However, his philosophy proved to have merit:

Companies that did business from a foundation of love and purpose and practiced servant leadership produced a 1026% return to shareholders over a 10-year period, 8 times more than ‘Good to Great’ companies. (Coetzer, 2019)

Greenleaf suggested that the best test of a servant leader, one difficult to administer, is this:

?      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?

Throughout my career, I had the privilege of learning from so many others who lived this philosophy. In fact, I felt that this was what set the best leaders apart. Since retiring, I have experienced the same is true for business leaders.

“It has generally been my experience that the very top people of truly great organizations are servant-leaders. They are the most humble, the most reverent, the most open, the most teachable, the most respectful, the most caring, and the most determined.” 

–     Dr. Stephen R. Covey

There’s a reason that the best leadership authors have a deeply spiritual message in common: It works!

If you haven’t considered the servant-leadership philosophy, or a moral or ethical approach to leadership, it’s time to reconsider. 

Stewardship: It’s how you touch a soul that lasts for eternity.

The world needs more servant leaders, so consider joining and contributing to the LinkedIN group, Your Evolving Servant Leadership Journey.

To conclude, Greenleaf highlighted several servant leaders in his book. In the past month, I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing more than 30 people who meet his “best test.” Each week, I intend to share a success story or two along with a part of Greenleaf’s Servant Leader message.

Until next week …

About the Author

Tom Crea is a leadership ambassador, decorated career Army Officer, and Blackhawk Helicopter pilot. Because of his proven skills, he was hand selected to run the Army’s leadership development program at two Boston colleges, where he and his team transformed college students into combat leaders. 

Today, he is a Keynote Speaker, Leadership Development Coach, and Chief Experience Officer. He is also the author of Unleash Your Values, and podcast host for Your Evolving Leadership Journey.