Lead (Servant Leader)

Lead (Servant Leader)

Leader - Team Player - Servant Leader

Firstly, I'll like to apologize for the late post today :/ I was really really busy! But I promise, this post will be a very insightful one! :) Definitely.

Ok let's go

What is a Servant Leader? The phrase in itself is quite contradictory right? The first word is like the Team Player while the second is the Team Leader. Basically, it's someone who is both (Duh...)

Personally, I come from a Christian background, it doesn't make me any better than anyone. But being Christian did teach me a lot of life values. One of which is servant leadership.

So helping people...helps you :) Sounds good right? I mean, doing good deeds (See the blog on good deeds if you haven't) actually benefits you! 

But that's not the mentality you should carry when you help someone. The satisfaction you get should always be self-satisfaction, any other form of 'reward' is a bonus :) 

I was a prefect councillor in primary school. (for those who know me now...yeah i'm surprised too) The term 'Servant Leadership' was used so freely by the discipline master and mistress that it never really hit home. (I never gave it a second thought) Until recently while I was doing one of those reflection exercises, it totally hit me! How exactly do you become a servant leader?

 Step 1: Always be willing to learn

A lot of leaders these days think that they know everything. They are so stuck to their own ideals and sometimes aren't willing to listen to those working with them (their Team Players). Being a keen learner to me is probably the foundation of good leadership. The world around us is changing, we need to learn to embrace it and move along with it. Learn new things. Make it a note to learn something new today! Tomorrow! Everyday! :)

Step 2: Affirm those around you (and yourself too)

Positive affirmation. Everyone needs it! Even the most confident people need it! So do you. Positive affirmation may not always come from others, but a good leader (especially a Servant Leader) knows how to affirm himself/herself and then move on to affirm those around them. This may seem sad for the leaders right? No one to affirm them...Well remember what I said earlier about doing good deeds? It's a cycle, but you have to be patient, you cannot seek it. But it will come. Personal story: When I decided to start this blog, there were many who supported the idea. But it wasn't everybody. Some people said I was too free (yeah right, I work and train and I have school starting in a week), some said there's no point. But honestly, is there anything wrong with helping people? No. Affirm someone today, give them the confidence to face the day. Empower them with your confidence. 

Step 3: Demonstrate

Do what you preach. This is really easier said then done. I myself struggle everyday to practice what I tell people. But I put in the effort. And you should too. It is really helpful to you anyways. Be the example that people can look up to! Yeah, not everyone will appreciate it, somedays no one will appreciate it...remember the previous step? Affirm yourself. If what you do is for good, do it. If your friends are going to laugh at you for sincerely helping an old lady cross the street, help her. Lead by example, don't just tell people what to do. If you're having trouble doing that, here's a little trick i do: I have some people around me who are my 'watchers'. Basically, they'll tell me if I mess up or don't practive what I preach. Usually watchers are your close friends or family :)

So don't burn yourself! 

Here's 3 things to remember about Servant Leadership: 1) Learn 2) Affirm 3) Demonstrate. (L.A.D.)

Be a leader who practices L.A.D. today! :)

Alright! So this is about it for the leadership series! Hope you guys learnt something! :) If you have any feedback do comment or follow me on twitter: @toranseth and DM me :) Thank you so much! :)