KEEP CALM & SERVE HUMANITY: SERVANT LEADERSHIP AS A GUIDING PRINCIPLE FOR HUMAN SERVICE EDUCATION AND PRACTICE

SOHS Annual Conference

April 8-11, 2015 – Charlotte, NC

Introduction

Najmah Thomas, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, USCB Human Services, Leadership &

Program Evaluation Former State Administrator –

Workforce Development; A Reluctant leader…

Objectives

Describe servant leadership…

Demonstrate applicability in Human Services…

Identify methods to incorporate SL in curriculum…

What is Servant Leadership?

50+ Robert K. Greenleaf A paradox Long-term Empowering Greatness in

service

What is Servant Leadership?

The institution: #1 priority =

serving others The

individual: #1 priority =

serving others

What is Servant Leadership?10 Primary Characteristics…

Listening Deep

commitment In touch Reflection

Empathy People Assumes good Shoes…

What is Servant Leadership?10 Primary Characteristics…

Healing Recognize broken

spirits Recognize

opportunity Recognize shared

search Awareness

Self-aware Sharply disturbed Holistic view

What is Servant Leadership?10 Primary Characteristics…

Persuasion …not positional Convince, not

coerce Consensus

building Conceptualization

Visionary Beyond

management Balance

What is Servant Leadership?10 Primary Characteristics…

Foresight* Past lessons* Present realities* Future decisions*

Stewardship In trust… Greater good Serving first -2-

fold test

What is Servant Leadership?10 Primary Characteristics…

Commitment to Growth of People Intrinsic value - not cogs! Responsibility to nurture Every individual.

Building Community Lost in the shift… Identify means… Show the way…

Servant Leadership & Human Services

Why is SL a good HMSV fit? Serving people is

our #1 priority! Growth focus is

essential! Model works for

students, practitioners & institutions!

Servant Leadership in HMSV Curriculum

Experiential learning / Service learning

Focus on SL in Leadership/Management courses

Purposely incorporate SL in Personal & Professional Development courses

Host special events, seminars, symposiums on SL

Servant Leadership in HMSV Curriculum

Recap: 10 Characteristics of SL

Listening

Empathy

Healing

Awareness

Persuasion

Conceptualization

Foresight

Stewardship

Commitment to Growth of People

Community Building

Recap: Objectives

Servant leadership is a transformative approach to work and life.

Servant leadership is highly applicable in Human Services education and application.

There are many options for incorporating servant leadership in HMSV curriculums.

Wrap

“The urgent problems of our day exist because of human failures…but we

can rebuild a system that works. The builders

will find the useful pieces, wherever they are.” (Where ever they

are.)

References

• Spears, Lawrence, et. al. Focus on Leadership: Servant Leadership for the 21st Century. ISBN 978-0-471-41162-8

• Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership: https://greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/

• University of the Southwest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlTzLd6oXC0