KEEP CALM & SERVE HUMANITY: SERVANT LEADERSHIP AS A GUIDING PRINCIPLE FOR HUMAN SERVICE EDUCATION AND PRACTICE
SOHS Annual Conference
April 8-11, 2015 – Charlotte, NC
Introduction
Najmah Thomas, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, USCB Human Services, Leadership &
Program Evaluation Former State Administrator –
Workforce Development; A Reluctant leader…
Objectives
Describe servant leadership…
Demonstrate applicability in Human Services…
Identify methods to incorporate SL in curriculum…
What is Servant Leadership?
50+ Robert K. Greenleaf A paradox Long-term Empowering Greatness in
service
What is Servant Leadership?
The institution: #1 priority =
serving others The
individual: #1 priority =
serving others
What is Servant Leadership?10 Primary Characteristics…
Listening Deep
commitment In touch Reflection
Empathy People Assumes good Shoes…
What is Servant Leadership?10 Primary Characteristics…
Healing Recognize broken
spirits Recognize
opportunity Recognize shared
search Awareness
Self-aware Sharply disturbed Holistic view
What is Servant Leadership?10 Primary Characteristics…
Persuasion …not positional Convince, not
coerce Consensus
building Conceptualization
Visionary Beyond
management Balance
What is Servant Leadership?10 Primary Characteristics…
Foresight* Past lessons* Present realities* Future decisions*
Stewardship In trust… Greater good Serving first -2-
fold test
What is Servant Leadership?10 Primary Characteristics…
Commitment to Growth of People Intrinsic value - not cogs! Responsibility to nurture Every individual.
Building Community Lost in the shift… Identify means… Show the way…
Servant Leadership & Human Services
Why is SL a good HMSV fit? Serving people is
our #1 priority! Growth focus is
essential! Model works for
students, practitioners & institutions!
Servant Leadership in HMSV Curriculum
Experiential learning / Service learning
Focus on SL in Leadership/Management courses
Purposely incorporate SL in Personal & Professional Development courses
Host special events, seminars, symposiums on SL
Servant Leadership in HMSV Curriculum
Recap: 10 Characteristics of SL
Listening
Empathy
Healing
Awareness
Persuasion
Conceptualization
Foresight
Stewardship
Commitment to Growth of People
Community Building
Recap: Objectives
Servant leadership is a transformative approach to work and life.
Servant leadership is highly applicable in Human Services education and application.
There are many options for incorporating servant leadership in HMSV curriculums.
Wrap
“The urgent problems of our day exist because of human failures…but we
can rebuild a system that works. The builders
will find the useful pieces, wherever they are.” (Where ever they
are.)
References
• Spears, Lawrence, et. al. Focus on Leadership: Servant Leadership for the 21st Century. ISBN 978-0-471-41162-8
• Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership: https://greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/
• University of the Southwest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlTzLd6oXC0