What is a servant leader?

When I think of leadership, I feel that servanthood goes hand-in-hand with it. There is no leadership if there is not service alongside it. Think of some of the most prominant leaders we have in this country. Our government officials are elected on the basis that they will serve their communities or those who are electing them. Police officers motto is "to protect and serve". There are few leaders who fill a leadership position where there is not some kind of service involved to their community.

I believe that I leader who does not have an attitude of servanthood has selfish motives. Someone who does not see himself as a servant to those under him will not care about their needs, their wants and their desires. They will either frustrate their team, or their team will not stay with them very long. They will not be a very effective leader. In order to be an effective leader, the one in charge must have a deep understanding of what it means to put their goal, dreams and desires aside and think of those of others. This is the heart of servanthood, and it will build a strong, unified team.