As an executive, I am often asked about the best approaches for developing strong, values-based leaders in organizations. One model that I frequently recommend is servant leadership.
Servant leadership prioritizes the needs of colleagues, stewardship of resources, and service over personal power and control. The concept was first developed in the 1970s by Robert Greenleaf who believed leaders should focus first on serving others to bring out the best in their people and organizations.
ADR Advisor Lorne Steedley is the Diversity and Inclusive Growth Vice Pres. at Chattanooga's Chamber of Commerce and an accomplished professional with experience in community development, partnership building and driving strategic initiatives.
Steedley led Motus Consulting USA, LLC, a management consultancy providing services to groups engaged in transformation, including nonprofits, corporations, and government entities.
A former International Fellow of the Emerging Leaders Program in the Graduate School of Business at the U. of Cape Town, S. Africa, he's also a former Research Fellow at M.I.T.'s Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. Steedley received a B.A. from the U. of South Carolina, a M.S. in Human Services from the U. of Massachusetts-Boston and a M.A. in Sociology from Boston College.
Steedley led Motus Consulting USA, LLC, a management consultancy providing services to groups engaged in transformation, including nonprofits, corporations, and government entities.
A former International Fellow of the Emerging Leaders Program in the Graduate School of Business at the U. of Cape Town, S. Africa, he's also a former Research Fellow at M.I.T.'s Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. Steedley received a B.A. from the U. of South Carolina, a M.S. in Human Services from the U. of Massachusetts-Boston and a M.A. in Sociology from Boston College.
Latest posts by Lorne Steedley (see all)
- AI and Inclusive Economic Development – by Lorne Steedley - December 26, 2023
- The Value of Servant Leadership – by Lorne Steedley - September 24, 2023
- Diversity Town Hall 2021: Lorne Steedley - November 25, 2021
Thank you Thomas!
Hi Jill, Thanks for responding. Just to clarify, where did you read latest trend in business in the servant leadership article? It appears in your comments about the article you are suggesting I made that statement. Thanks Jill!
Servant leadership is not the “latest trend in business”.
It is not just a “timely” idea or a “positive” attitude or the good old “paradigm shift” mentality. It’s not just a godly or Christian way, or a biblical concept. There are other ways.
However, if you want to motivate people, make them feel they are part of the solution, important to the plan, important to others, build them up, show them they are seen as well as heard, and giving you their best, servant leadership principles is not the only way; it’s merely the best way!
Nice read in these troubled times of : shutdown of governmental political realities; indifferent political parties Dems and Repubs, a total way out former POTUS, the one-sided issue of generational wealth white people vis a vis black people, mental health and homelessness in the richest nation on the planet, whew the list goes on and on. Nevertheless, ‘we still Rises’!