A. While servant leadership can be connected to biblical principles and Christianity, it is not exclusively tied to it. In what ways do the principles of servant leadership cross religious and cultural lines? Justify your opinions by providing specific examples.

B. Discuss the traits, behaviors, and leadership style you would expect to see in a person who identifies as a servant leader. In your response, include discussion about the following.

a. In what ways can servant leadership be considered a vocation?

b. When people commit to being servant leaders, what does that mean about the types of behaviors they exhibit and prohibit personally and within the organizations they are leading?

c. How does servant leadership differ from traditional forms of leadership?

                                                                 RESOURCES

Electronic Resource

1. A Servant Leadership Story

Read “A Servant Leadership Story,” by Malinski, located on the Servant Leadership Institute website (2017).

https://www.servantleadershipinstitute.com/tips-and-stories/2017/1/13/a-servant-leadership-story

2. Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business

Read “Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business,” by Rivers, from Texas CEO Magazine (2015).

https://texasceomagazine.com/book-review/conscious-capitalism/

3. Raymond Reyes – Greenlief [sic]

View “Raymond Reyes – Greenlief [sic],” by Reyes, located on the YouTube website (2010).

4. Servant Leadership Experience Overview

Read the “Servant Leadership Experience Overview” to learn the specifics about the course project due at the end of Topic 8.

LDR-630-RS-Servant Leadership Experience Overview.docx

5. Servant Leadership: The First Pillar of the Colangelo College of Business

Read “Servant Leadership: The First Pillar of the Colangelo College of Business,” by Gibb, located on the Grand Canyon University website (2015).

http://blogs.gcu.edu/colangelo-college-of-business/servant-leadership-the-first-pillar-of-the-colangelo-college-of-business/

6. What Is Servant Leadership?

Read “What Is Servant Leadership?” located on the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership website.

e-Library Resource

1. The Servant as Leader

Read “The Servant as Leader,” by Greenleaf, from Servant Leadership: A Journey Into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness (2002).

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=587729&site=ehost-live&scope=site&ebv=EK&ppid=Page-__-27

e-Library Resource

1. The Servant as Leader

Read “The Servant as Leader,” by Greenleaf, from Servant Leadership: A Journey Into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness (2002).

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=587729&site=ehost-live&scope=site&ebv=EK&ppid=Page-__-27

Other

1. Biblical Servant Leadership References

Read the “Biblical Servant Leadership References” handout.

LDR-630-RS-Biblical Servant Leadership References.docx

                                                                              Unit 2

A. Visit the “Competitive Advantages” page of the Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership website at https://www.greenleaf.org/winning-workplaces/workplace-resources/research-studies/competitive-advantages/ and review the articles indicating ways that servant leadership helps organizations gain competitive advantage. Using that information along with the Topic Materials, discuss how servant leadership contributes to competitive advantage in contemporary organizations. Provide specific industry examples of companies that have thrived as servant leaders.

B. One of the challenges often faced by nonprofit organizations is financial viability. Consider how the service leadership model can make a nonprofit organization competitive in ways that are not profit driven. In your post, discuss whether or not the value the nonprofit provides to the community and the greater good is professionally appealing enough to make you want to explore as a career opportunity despite the fact that in many cases than the personal and financial gains offered by nonprofits may not match what is available in for-profit organizations.

                                                                       RESOURCES

Electronic Resource

1. “Servant Leadership” – Serve to Be Great

Read “‘Servant Leadership’ – Serve to Be Great,” located on the Intellisource website (2015).

http://www.intellisource.com/2015/02/servant-leadership-serve-great/

2. 1 Little-Known Advantage Most Investors Miss

Read “1 Little-Known Advantage Most Investors Miss,” by Lomax, located on The Motley Fool website (2014).

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/10/23/1-little-known-advantage-most-investors-miss.aspx

3. At Their Service

Read “At Their Service,” by Drake, located on the Smart CEO website (2013).

https://web.archive.org/web/20160610105450/http://www.smartceo.com/wawas-ceo-servant-leadership/

4. DOs & DON’Ts of Servant Leadership

Read “DOs & DON’Ts of Servant Leadership,” located on the Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center website (2015).

http://ritzcarltonleadershipcenter.com/2015/09/dos-donts-of-servant-leadership/

5. Leadership Expert Simon Sinek on Putting Others First 

View “Leadership Expert Simon Sinek on Putting Others First,” located on the YouTube website (2014).

6. Servant Leadership Sustains Competitive US Manufacturing Advantage

Read “Servant Leadership Sustains Competitive US Manufacturing Advantage,” by Martin, located on the Industry Today website (2012).

http://industrytoday.com/article_view.asp?ArticleID=we385

7. Servant Leadership: A Path to High Performance

Read “Servant Leadership: A Path to High Performance,” by Hess, from The Washington Post (2013).

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/servant-leadership-a-path-to-high-performance/2013/04/26/435e58b2-a7b8-11e2-8302-3c7e0ea97057_story.html

Website

1. America’s Worst Charities

The America’s Worst Charities website can be used to conduct research for the topic assignment.

http://www.tampabay.com/topics/specials/worst-charities/

2. Charity Navigator

The Charity Navigator website can be used to conduct research for the topic assignment.

https://www.charitynavigator.org/

3. Charity Watch

The Top Rated Charities page of the Charity Watch website can be used to conduct research for the topic assignment.

https://www.charitywatch.org/top-rated-charities

4. Competitive Advantages

Review the Competitive Advantages page of the Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership website to locate servant leadership articles.

https://www.greenleaf.org/winning-workplaces/workplace-resources/research-studies/competitive-advantages/

5. TopNonprofits

The Top 100 Nonprofits on the Web page of the TopNonprofits website can be used to conduct research for the topic assignment.

https://topnonprofits.com/lists/best-nonprofits-on-the-web/

                                                                              Unit 3

A. Think about how your personal values correlate with the principles of servant leadership. How can you draw on values and servant leadership principles to better establish your followership to better serve those you lead professionally and personally?

B. Suppose you go to work for an organization that you discover does not align with your personal values. You are in a leadership role and you are not in a position to leave the job. How do you ethically represent the company without compromising your own beliefs? What is the deal breaker for you? How does ethically representing the company demonstrate your ability to be a servant leader?

                                                                    RESOURCES

Electronic Resource

1. As a Servant Leader, You Can Change the World Commencement Address

Read “‘As a Servant Leader, You Can Change the World’ Commencement Address,” by George, located on the Bill George website (2013).

http://www.billgeorge.org/page/as-a-servant-leader-you-can-change-the-world

2. Chick-fil-A Founder Was Embodiment of Servant Leader Philosophy

Read “Chick-fil-A Founder Was Embodiment of Servant Leader Philosophy,” by Oswald, located on the HR Hero website (2014).

http://blogs.hrhero.com/oswaldletters/2014/09/15/chick-fil-a-founder-was-embodiment-of-servant-leader-philosophy/

3. Leading as a Servant 

Read “Leading as a Servant,” by Krakowski, from Entrepreneur (2014).

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/231242

4. Serving More Than the Bottom Line

Read “Serving More Than the Bottom Line,” by Brodsky, located on the Human Resource Executive Online website (2015).

http://www.hreonline.com/HRE/view/story.jhtml?id=534358775

5. The Business of Consciousness

Read “The Business of Consciousness,” by McEllin, located on the Examiner website (2013).

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/business-consciousness-steve-mcellin-mba

                                                                       Unit 4

A. Think about the principles of servant leadership and provide two examples of specific ways you can apply them in your current work environment, as member of a community group or organization with which you are involved, or in your personal life. Discuss the specific servant leadership principles you would apply, the methods you would use to apply the principles, and the results you would anticipate seeing as a result of implementing these servant leadership principles.

B. Conduct research about a biblical figure such as Moses, David, Paul, Joseph, Esther, or Nehemiah to learn about how the biblical leader exemplified servant leadership and see how the principles of servant leadership transcend time and place. Think about the contemporary leader you are researching for the Topic 4 assignment, and discuss the similarities you see between the biblical servant leader and the contemporary servant leader. Provide specific examples to illustrate the similarities you have identified and include discussion about what you think makes the principles of servant leadership applicable regardless of time or place.

                                                                           RESOURCES

6. ‘Servant’ Leadership Style Is Best for Bosses

Read “‘Servant’ Leadership Style Is Best for Bosses,” by Brooks, located on the Business News Daily website (2015).

http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7964-best-leadership-style.html

7. 10 Tips on How IT Leaders Can Develop a Service-Oriented Perspective

Read “10 Tips on How IT Leaders Can Develop a Service-Oriented Perspective,” by Tennant, located on the IT Business Edge website (2014).

http://www.itbusinessedge.com/blogs/from-under-the-rug/10-tips-on-how-it-leaders-can-develop-a-service-oriented-perspective.html

8. 9 Ways to Motivate People Using Servant Leadership

Read “9 Ways to Motivate People Using Servant Leadership,” by McCuistion, located on the About Leaders website (2013).

9. Being a Servant Leader in the Age of Technology

Read “Being a Servant Leader in the Age of Technology,” by Hollis, located on the Huffington Post website (2015).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-b-hollis/being-a-servant-leader-in-the-age-of-technology_b_8016290.html

10. Recognizing Servant-Leaders – Not Drum Majors

Read “Recognizing Servant-Leaders – Not Drum Majors,” located on the Dreams InDeed International website.

https://www.dreamsindeed.org/news/recognizing-servant-leaders-not-drum-majors/

Other

1. Individual and Corporate Servant Leaders

The “Individual and Corporate Servant Leaders” resource can be used as a reference for discussion questions throughout the course and for completion of some course assignments.

                                                                    Unit 5

A. Learn about current trends in servant leadership by conducting your own research and locating an article that illustrates how the principles of servant leadership are being employed in the workplace, as part of a volunteer or service effort, or in an individual’s personal life. In the Main Forum, post a short summary and a link to the article. Discuss what you learned from reading the article and whether or not you would consider applying servant leadership in a similar way.

B. The article “Why Isn’t Servant Leadership More Prevalent?” poses the question, “But if servant leadership is as effective as portrayed in recent research, why isn’t it more prevalent?” Using what you have learned about the principles of servant leadership and your own experiences, address this question. Use examples to support your hypotheses.

                                                                 RESOURCES

Electronic Resource

1. Simon Sinek: Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe 

View “Simon Sinek: Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe,” located on the TED website (2014).

2. The CEO of Popeye’s Says Becoming a “Servant Leader” Helped Her Turn Around the Struggling Restaurant Chain

Read “The CEO of Popeye’s Says Becoming a ‘Servant Leader’ Helped Her Turn Around the Struggling Restaurant Chain,” by Goudreau, located on the Business Insider website (2015).

http://www.businessinsider.com/popeyes-ceo-servant-leadership-traits-2015-3

3. TheThe Baltimore Ravens’ John Harbaugh Discusses Servant Leadership

View “The Baltimore Ravens’ John Harbaugh Discusses Servant Leadership,” by Smart CEO Magazine, located on the YouTube website (2013).

4. Top Midsize Workplace: AutomationDirect.com

Read “Top Midsize Workplace: AutomationDirect.com,” by Tierney, located on the AJC.com website (2014).

http://www.ajc.com/news/business/top-midsize-workplace-automationdirectcom/nfF67/

5. Why Isn’t Servant Leadership More Prevalent?

Read “Why Isn’t Servant Leadership More Prevalent?” by Heskett, from Forbes.

http://onforb.es/10Vh7qx

                                                                         Unit 6

A. Think about Greenleaf’s principles of servant leadership and what you have learned about the biblical foundation of servant leadership. Identify specific principles of servant leadership that, when employed effectively, can proliferate respect for multiculturalism and diversity within the organizations and communities they serve? Provide specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

B. Research an international servant leader or international servant leadership organization to examine the similarities and differences in the way servant leadership is executed in Western culture and Christianity when compared with other cultures and religions. Summarize the similarities and differences you discovered and discuss which principles of servant leadership you think are universal, regardless of religious and cultural differences. Provide examples to support your opinions.

                                                              RESOURCES

Electronic Resource

1. Effective Leadership Within a Multinational Environment

Read “Effective Leadership Within a Multinational Environment,” by Rentfrow, located on the Leadership Advance Online website (2007).

http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/lao/issue_10/rentfrow.htm

e-Library Resource

1. Servant Leadership and World Values

Read “Servant Leadership and World Values,” by Rubio-Sanchez, Bosco, and Melchar, from Global Studies Journal (2013).

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=95952547&site=ehost-live&scope=site 

                                                                 Unit 7

A. In the Topic Materials you read several examples of ways that servant leadership can be displayed through true volunteerism and acts of service to others. Research an historic or current servant leader who is a true volunteer in service to others. In what ways does the person inspire leadership while building his or her own character and integrity? How does this leader exemplify the moral obligation to lead through kindness, compassion, and justice?

B. Share the servant leadership volunteer opportunity you are completing. Discuss how you think this experience will help you develop your own character and give you experience in leading through exhibiting kindness, compassion, and justice.

                                                                          RESOURCES

2. When Servant Becomes Leader: The Corazon C. Aquino Success Story as a Beacon for Business Leaders 

Read “When Servant Becomes Leader: The Corazon C. Aquino Success Story as a Beacon for Business Leaders,” by Udani and Lorenzo-Molo, from Journal of Business Ethics (2013).

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=90254863&site=ehost-live&scope=site 

                                                                              Unit 8

A. Now that you have participated in your servant leadership opportunity, discuss how the experience affected your understanding of how through serving others one actually leads. Support your ideas with specific examples from your volunteer experience.

B. Watch the video “Servant Leadership – Joe Schmitt.” Discuss why this is a good example of leadership through acts of service in terms of the way the actions of the leader demonstrate integrity and personal character building while also establishing followership and pushing others to grow professionally through emulating his actions. Discuss how this example embraces both Greenleaf’s principles of servant leadership and the call to service evident in Christianity.

RESOURCES

Electronic Resource

1. Drew Dudley “Everyday Leadership” – TED Talks 

View “Drew Dudley ‘Everyday Leadership’ – TED Talks,” located on the YouTube website (2013).

2. Servant Leadership – Joe Schmitt

View “Servant Leadership – Joe Schmitt” located on the YouTube website (2014).

Biblical Servant Leadership References

The biblical references to servant leadership are all taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) of the bible.

Matthew 20:20-28

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

21 “What is it you want?” he asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

“We can,” they answered.

23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 22:39

Then Jesus added, “And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. In these rest all of the law.”

Mark 10:42-45

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Luke 22:26

But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.

John 13:3-5

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

John 13:12-17

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. …

John 14:21, 23

Love and serve God first to better love and serve each other.

Acts 20:35

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Acts 20:28

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

1 Peter 4:10

Each of you has been blessed with one of Gods wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.

1 Peter 5:3

Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Philippians 2:3-8

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. …

Hebrews 13:7

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

1 Kings 12:7

And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.”

Deuteronomy 10:12

“Love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

 

© 2016. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.

 

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