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while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more
likely themselves to become servants?
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The concept of a servant leader is certainly not new. In the New Testament
of the Bible, we have this statement from Jesus: You know that those who are

considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise
authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to
become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be
first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to
serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:42-45).

It’s not about you. Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life.

Greenleaf scholars generally agree that the following behaviors are central
to the development of a servant-leader:
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1. Listening Leaders have traditionally been valued for their

communication and decision-making skills. While these
are also important skills for the servant-leader, they need
to be reinforced by a deep commitment to listening
intently to others. The servant leader particularly needs
to pay attention to what remains unspoken in the
management setting. Listening, coupled with regular
periods of reflection, is essential to the growth of the

servant-leader.
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2. Empathy Servant-leaders try to empathize with and understand
others’ feelings and emotion. It is assumed that an
individual has good intentions even when he or she
performs poorly. Workers may be considered not only as

employees, but also as people who need respect and
appreciation for their personal development.
3. Healing Servant-leaders strive to make themselves and others
whole in the face of failure or suffering. A servant leader
tries to help people solve their problems and conflicts in

57 http://www.greenleaf.org/whatissl/.
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http://www.greenleaf.org/whatissl/.
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http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/sl_proceedings/2005/spears_practice.pdf.
David Kolzow 48