Comments on: Is ‘servant leadership’ too soft for today’s workforce?

By: Cesar Ramirez

Cesar Ramirez — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 16:31:19 +0000

Ironically, I offered servant leadership in my previous online marketing business and it fell apart because the leaders were still only as strong as the main leader (me.). When egos kick in that they can do a process better it destroyed my business.

By: Gregory Wood

Gregory Wood — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 23:12:07 +0000

My concept of “servant leader” is an initiator and visionary defines and pursues a vision and then is able to clearly communicate that vision to employees in a way that energizes (inspires) employee will do their assigned job in a way that moves toward accomplishing that vision. At the same time, the servant leader is one who respects employees, trusts them to bring their best to the job and does what it takes to help employees improve keeping in mind that a successful employee is a productive employee. If an employee does not perform, then they are on the wrong bus and a servant leader helps them find the right bus. I do not perceive a servant leader in any respect as being soft, indecisive, or someone who abdicates his or her leadership responsibilities.

By: Michael O'Daniel

Michael O'Daniel — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 18:49:59 +0000

I don’t think there has to be a binary choice. I think you can be a servant leader and still communicate to all your stakeholders that urgency, quality and focus upon the customer are your organization’s values. The best way to create customer focus is through focus on employees first because they make or break your focus on the customer, they deliver the quality, they buy into the need for urgency. And it is indeed possible to enroll your employees in living these values without being a jerk.

By: Tim Nguyen

Tim Nguyen — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 16:39:35 +0000

The vast majority of business leaders will never reach the heights of Steve Jobs or Elon Musk. The media will never cover our bold moves and shower us with praise. If you are then carry on. Personally for me it’s about those few hundred lives I can affect and to be remembered by my employees for making their lives better, for making their growth the #1 priority is a huge success and management well executed.

By: Louise Wannier

Louise Wannier — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 16:21:11 +0000

Dave, I appreciate your analysis. Leadership to me means neither servant nor delegator, it means building a clear vision, motivating and building ownership and alignment throughout the entire organization to realize the objectives and drive results and profits for the shareholders or benefit for the common good- for a purpose driven organization.