Impact of Servant Leadership in the Workplace - Essay Example

Impact of Servant Leadership in the Workplace Introduction Importance of this topic In this global age, the concept of servant leadership is considered as a, rare concept as self-interest is the most essential requirement of maximum extent of the individual. However, some percentage still believes servant leadership to be a holistic approach so as to offer varied types of services to its followers or employees. It is done in order to maintain uniformity and community-based attitude among all so as to enhance their relationship. As a result of which, the level of trust and reliability of the individual over the servant might get enhanced that may amplify the opportunity of the servant to take part in decision –makings. Thus, it is stated that, such a style of leadership is recognized as the simple pathway to enter the hearts and minds of the followers or other employees. Therefore, due to these underlining reasons, it is considered as one of the most essential topic for the individual of this age, in order to develop a strong foothold in the organization among other member’s minds, thereby amplifying its position among others. Why this topic, considered interesting? Servant leadership in a work place or an organization is considered extremely interesting as because, it presents a short description by which, a servant gathers various skills and talents of the employees or followers. Due to the presence of these skills, a servant might present his or her underlining ideas and information regarding a topic that may prove worthy for the employees. Thus, it is one of the essential ways to enhance greatness within others thereby motivating them towards the assigned duties. Therefore, in this way, it becomes extremely easy for an individual to reduce the negative impacts and enhance the optimistic outlook within them. So, it is extremely essential and interesting for me. Problem statement This research paper mainly deals with the reasons for which, the effects of servant leadership is highly acknowledged within an organization or workplace. Along with this, it also highlights the causes for which, it is considered as a holistic approach by numerous individual in the entire globe. In addition to this, this research paper also tries to describe, the core characteristic features and skills for which servant leadership is offered more attention than others in a work place. Discussion Ethical or legal issues As, the servant work is to offer services, uniformly and consistently for all. Only then, he or she might be preferred by all that may enhance his dominance and power in the organization among others. As a result of which, these features might prove effective for the servant to become a part of any decision, related to sustainable growth of organization as well as its employees in future age. However, such type of participation may not be preferred by all the members or higher authority members of the organization due to diverse decision-makings so it is recognized as one of the legal or ethical issue. This is because; all sorts of internal information may not be discussed in front of a servant as he or she might disclose it among others. As a result of which, it might create numerous problems for the organization so it is considered as an official issue. Why is this issue causing conflict in decision making? The ethical or legal issue that arises mainly due to the presentation of the opportunity of the servant of an organization to participate in decision-making acts as the root cause of interpersonal conflicts among the employees. This is because, a huge percentage of the employees prefer this idea but a considerable percentage dislikes it. Due to such controversies, the level of bonding or coordination among the employees gets hindered thereby reducing their level of performance and dedication. Along with this, due to interpersonal conflicts, the rate of communication or team work to accomplish the assigned tasks also gets reduced significantly. As a result, the level of harmony or evenness within the employees reduces day by day thereby amplifying the rate of dissension among all. Due to the development of such type of environment within the organization, the concept is not at all favored by all. Supporting research Legal or ethical principles In order to enhance the level of sustainability and reliability within the minds of the target customers and employees, maximum extent of the organizations in this age are trying to adopt, servant leadership styles. Such type of leadership style might become successful in all aspects only if the below stated principles or attributes are followed. Listening - According to Smith (2005), it is recognized as one of the most essential tool utilized at the time of communication. This is because; an ethical servant would surely respond to the problem after listening about it. So that, the problem might be resolved easily and quickly without offering negative impacts (Smith, 2005). Empathy - It is also extremely essential for any individual to understand the feelings of others. Only then, an individual serving as a servant might attain the position of a leader in future age. Awareness - As per Murray (2008), awareness is also recognized as another important technique of communication. If the individual is well aware about the updated information and facts, then, he or she might very easily offer his idea’s regarding that. As a result of which, his level of dominance and supremacy might get enhanced among them (Murray, 2008). Conceptualization - It is extremely essential for a servant leader to remain well-versed with the present realities and the future considerations so as to make varied types of recommendations about the future scenario. Such type of recommendations might be liked by the other followers thereby amplifying his or her reputation and dominance among them. Commitment - According to McClelland (2008), commitment is the main essence of any leader. This is because; if the leader is highly involved and committed towards the assigned goals of the organization, then his or her followers might follow the similar standards. Therefore, it might be stated that commitment is the prime requirement of a servant leader in a work place. Teamwork - It is also another essential requirement of a servant leader. Only then, an organization or an individual might accomplish his assigned goals or objectives in an effective way among others. This is because with the help of proper coordination and cooperation, any task might be accomplished very easily and accurately. However, it might be possible only if proper communication is maintained among all the employees of the organization. By proper communication among the members, the relationship among them might be maintained effectively. This might prove effective for the organization to accomplish the desired objectiveness in a very effective way so that it might improve its profitability in the market. Therefore, by doing so, the reputation and brand image of the organization or the individual might get enhanced significantly (McClelland, 2008). So, the concept of teamwork is extremely essential for a leader in order to retain its dominance and portfolio in the organization. Thus, it might be clearly revealed that, if the above mentioned principles or attributes might be followed by the organization or the individual so as to retain its effectiveness in the market. Other than this, these factors might enhance employee satisfaction, productivity, sales and profitability to a significant extent among other rival players. Models or theories Other than principles, there are varied types of theories or models also to describe the impact of servant leadership within a work place. These theories are presented below: Motivational theory- as per Northouse (2010), the servant leadership style is more like the participative style. In this type of leadership style, the leader tries to discuss the problem with the other followers so as to evaluate its pros and cons effectively. By doing so, the level of trust and reliability of the followers also get enhanced to a significant extent thereby amplifying their level of dedication. In addition to this due to participative leadership style, the followers get more attracted towards the assigned tasks or roles. Due to which, their level of performance also gets enhanced thereby amplifying the rate of productivity and profitability of the organization in the market among others. Thus, such type of leadership style prove extremely essential for the employees in gearing their inner trust and will-power to perform the duties in an effective way that amplifies the efficiency of the organization to a significant extent (Northhouse, 2010). So, the theory of motivation plays an active role in maintaining a perfect interpersonal relationship with the higher members of the organization. Behavioral theory- according to Simmons (2010), the servant-leader is an individual, who mainly serves for his or her followers. This is his or her primary duty and in order to perform this duty, he or she need to present well-behaved manners and attitude. So that, all the followers or employees get highly motivated or fascinated by his or her behavioral attributes that might enhance his level of preference in them. Moreover, by presenting such type of behavioral attributes, the rate of dominance or supremacy of a servant leader becomes more enhanced within an organization (Spears & Lawrence, 2002). Functional theory- other than the above mentioned qualities, the servant leader also needs to be extremely focused towards his or her assigned duties and responsibilities so as to enhance his or her level of dominance, and image in the organization among other co-workers (McCown, 2008). This is because; if the functions or the duties are accomplished in an effective way then only, the organization might retain its image and popularity in the market. Task oriented theory- the servant leaders also need to be extremely focused and dedicated towards the final goals or tasks so as to amplify its effectiveness among others. This type act as a boon for the servant leaders thereby fascinating all other employees or followers to become more devoted towards the goals of the organization (Karsten, 2006). Situational leadership theory- this is also another important requirement of a servant leader. This is because, it’s extremely essential to act according to the situational requirement in order to cope up with the challenges in an effective way. Only then, the dominance and consistency of a servant leader might get enhanced thereby amplifying its scope of success in the market among others. However, in order to tackle the situations in an effective way, it is extremely essential for the leader to be intelligent and tactful. Along with this, he or she needs to comprise of high thinking power and previous experience, so as to evaluate and analyze the pros and cons of the situation. Thus, it might be clearly revealed that the impact of servant leadership style in a workplace is to enhance the satisfaction and inner morale of the employees, rate of devotion or commitment, effectiveness or efficiency of productivity, improvement in the levels of performance and many more. Apart from this, as the interpersonal relationship within the employees gets enhanced significantly, so the level of conflicts among them reduces thereby enhancing their rate of retention within the organization. Other than this, the inner spirits and self esteem of the employees also get enhanced due to participative nature of leadership that enhances their level of efficiency towards work. Therefore, it might be stated that servant leadership style acts as a driving force to tackle challenging situations thereby amplifying its dominance and reputation in the market among others. So, it is extremely essential to implement servant leadership style in the organization (Bryan, 2009). How does your problem relate to other case studies found in the research? After analyzing the above mentioned paragraphs, it might be stated that the servant leader need to be more tactful and intelligent so as to resolve varied types of situational challenges in an effective way. Along with this, the leader needs to comprise of high-involvement nature so as to enhance the commitment and dedication of the employees of the organization in an effective way. This attitude might prove effective for the leader to know the underlining ideas and suggestions of the followers or employees and act accordingly. So that, each and every employee might accept his or her decision in an effective way without offering any sort of negative approach towards it. This might enhance the commitment and devotion of the employees towards the goal, which is extremely essential. Due to which, servant leadership style is highly preferred in an organization among other styles (Johnson, 2011). Recommendations In order to enhance the productivity of the organization, the leader needs to be more committed and involved towards the assigned duties and tasks. Only then, the inner confidence and self esteem of the employees might get enhanced thereby amplifying their level productivity. Along with this, such type of strategy might prove effective in analyzing or evaluating the various errors thereby amplifying the rate of accuracy. This might prove effective for the organization. Along with this, job rotational program might be implemented in order to enhance the devotional level of the employees. This might also improve the productivity power of the employees thereby amplifying their inner skills and talents. Varied types of vocational training programs also need to be implemented in order to improve the performances and talents of the employees among others. Other than this, addition of new job roles is also another essential strategy that might improve the efficiency of the employees of the organization in an effective way as compared to others. In addition, encouraging the employees to participate in the decision-making process might also prove helpful in enhancing the self-esteem or inner morale of the employees in an organization. Thus, it might be clearly depicted that implementation of these above mentioned strategies in an organization might prove effective for the servant leadership style as compared to many other leadership techniques. Conclusion Conclusively, it might be stated in order to enhance the competitive advantage of the organizations, it is necessary to implement an appropriate leadership style. Only then, the employees might get motivated and inspired towards their assigned duties thereby amplifying the image and demand of the organization in the market among other rival players. Along with this, he or she might encourage all other employees to work in an efficient way so as to accomplish the tasks in an effective way thereby reducing the chances of mistakes or errors. Not only this, in case the leader is extremely involved with the employees then the chances of presenting varied types of ideas and information might get enhanced that may prove effective for the organization in future age among others. Other than this, if the leader and employee relationship is good, then it might help in reduction of the chances of attrition thereby amplifying the ratio of retention of the employees. By doing so, the organization might retain the experienced and talented staffs within the organization that may be used in introducing numerous products and services for the customers. As a result, the reliability and uniqueness of the organization might get enhanced within the minds of the customers that may improve its competitive positioning and distinctiveness in the market. Thus, it might be said that it is the leader, who drives the employees in right way thereby amplifying the reputation and productivity of the organization in the market. Therefore, the entire image and equity of the organization rests on the shoulders of the leader and the employee. References Bryan, J. D. (2009). Team Development Social Networking and Its Impact on the Encouragement of Spiritual Leadership. Boston: Harvard Business School Press. Johnson, C. E. (2011). Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership: Casting Light Or Shadow. London: Sage. Karsten, M. S. (2006). Gender, Race, and Ethnicity in the Workplace: Management, gender, and ethnicity in the United States. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group. McClelland, J. R. (2008). Leading a Volunteer Organization: Impact of Leadership Styles on the Performance of Boy Scout Councils. London: Proquest. McCown, D. N. (2008). The Roles of Internal Public Relations, Leadership Style, and Workplace. New York: Cengage. Murray, C. (2008). The Transformative Essence of Servant-leadership in the Higher Education. New York: Springer. Northouse, P. G. 2010. Leadership: Theory and Practice. 5th edition. 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