Be a Leader... Be a Servant
by Curt Walvatne

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A leader is, according to one dictionary, "One who has commanding authority or influence." We could now have a major discussion on named and unnamed leaders, but we won`t. Another definition is, "A primary or terminal shoot of a plant." Putting these together we have a person whom... ah forget it. Who really cares what the dictionary says? What does the American worker look for in a leader? Let`s forget about the fancy sounding definitions and trendy phrases, and use language we can all relate to.

A laborer, an electric lineman, an assembly line worker, an office assistant, a med tech from El Paso, a dishwasher from Beloit, an attorney from Philadelphia, a block layer from Bangor, a teacher from Hazel Run, a middle manager from Lodi, a construction worker from Billings, they are all looking for a leader who is humble. I did not, I repeat, I did not take this from a book. What follows comes right out of the hearts and souls of our American workers. A leader should be humble? Yes! How else could she/he allow associates and subordinates (I hate that word) to receive praise when their efforts are successful? Noted business consultant, John Parker Stewart maintains that good leaders give the credit to their people when things go well, and they shoulder the bulk of the heat when things fall apart.

Many people in leadership positions say, " I can`t do that." No. The real issue is that you "won`t" do it. It is not hard to do, but pride and insecurity hold management back from taking this kind of responsibility. These people are missing out a huge opportunity. Be humble. The masses will look up to you and follow you.

Servanthood is associated with humility. We picture the servant quietly going about the business of making things easier for her/his master. That is what the true leader does. She/he makes it easier for other employees to carry out their assignments. Servant leadership, it fits. A true leader serves her/his employees, and in so doing, gains their following and respect. The true leader may not have the same social status or the same economic standard as the servant, but the servant spirit of both should be the same.

People, believe this not because I say it. Believe it because it is the feelings of the people "in the trenches." It is reality. The tremendous hope is that all leaders can practice this principle, the principle of humility. It works!!