Servant Leadership

Projects are made by people and for people. Yet, most projects have failed right here, especially since it was not until lately that people became truly recognized and incorporated in project management. It has been a mistake to think that people leave their personalities at home when going to work. So attracting, engaging and integrating people with their own interests, feelings, ideas, and competencies is not optional but required in project, program, and portfolio management. Especially since the complexity and uncertainty certainly bring about emotions in people. This necessitates a form of leadership that is suited to this environment, and servant leadership is one such form, where the people really are the centre of attention with the executive being a true leader rather than a boss. C.f. James W. Sipe and Don M. Frick in their book "Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership", servant leadership is attained by implementing seven things:

1. Being a person of character
2. Putting people first
3. Being a skilled communicator
4. Being a compassionate collaborator
5. Having foresight
6. Being a Systems Thinker
7. Having moral authority

The theory

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Person of Character

The core competencies of a person of character are that he maintains integrity, demonstrates humility, and serves a higher purpose. He does not lead by ego but with his conscience, the inward moral sense of right and wrong. Rather, he has enough self-awareness to point his inner compas towards "true north" of real leadership and not "magnetic north", which culturally conditioned values, others' needs and expectations, the ego etc. are pointing him towards. And when the "magnetic attraction" becomes too severe and forces him away from true north, he does his upmost to get back on course. He is filled with a depth of spirit and enthusiams, and he is committed to the desire to serve something beyond himself. He makes insightful, ethical, and principle-centered decisions. He is honest, trustworthy, authentic and humble. In other words, he is virtuous. This character behavior has a huge effect on the quality and effectiveness of leadership: Many experts say that leadership competence is based on character more than technique [6], leaders of character generate more loyality, creativity, and productivity [7], a Harvard study indicates, most of the leader's performance is due to his personal character [8], and companies with a strong culture of shared values and principles outperform other companies a lot [9].

He

Serving a higher purpose

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Puts People First

One who puts people first helps others meet their highest priority development needs. He displays a servant's heart, is mentor-minded, and shows care and concern.

Showing care and concern

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Skilled communicator

A skilled communicator is one who listens earnestly and speaks effectively. He demonstrates empathy, invites feedback and communicates persuasively.

Communicating persuasively

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Compassionate Collaborator

A compassionate collaborator strengthens relationships, supports diversity, and creates a sense of belonging. He expresses appreciation, builds teams and communities, and negotiates conflict.

Negotiating conflict

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Has Foresight

One who has foresight imagines possibilities, anticipates the future, and proceeds with clarity of purpose. He is visionary and he displays creativity and takes courageous and decisive action.

Taking courageous and decisive action

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Systems Thinker

A systems thinker is one who thinks and acts strategically, leads change effectively, and balances the whole with the sum of its parts. He is comfortable with complexity, demonstrates adaptability, and considers the "greater good".

Considering the "greater good"

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Leads with Moral Authority

One who leads with moral authority is worthy of respect, inspires trust and confidence, and establishes quality standars for performance. He accepts and delegates responsibility, shares power and control, and creates a culture of accountability. --

Application

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Limitations

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Annotated bibliography

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