Ready to Start Your Journey as a Servant Leader?
How?
That is the question we get most often at Sophia. How do I become a servant-leader? How does my organization incorporate servant leadership into its practices?
The answer is that there isn’t one way.
Rather, there are hundreds of ways to be a servant leader. If the core of servant leadership is about the growth and well being of people, within organizations and communities and as individuals, then the best way to be a servant leader is to practice servant leader behaviors yourself…
… and the best way to begin is by learning!
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Learn about the history, philosophy, and practices of servant leadership.
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Learn leadership behaviors that foster self-awareness and build trusting relationships.
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Learn about other successful servant leaders and the organizations they run.
The first step is learning. The next step is incorporating that learning into daily practice.
Between the countless books, presentations, and the vastness of the Internet, there is a sea of information on the topic of Servant Leadership.
That’s why Sophia has compiled a list of top recommendations of books, online learning resources, and websites for you to begin your Servant Leadership journey. All resources on this list have been hand-selected by Sophia associates, board members, and attendees of the 2018 Aspiring Servant Leaders Conference.
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
It’s Not About the Coffee
by Howard Behar
Easy to understand principles written in a straightforward narrative.
Level: APPROACHABLE
Howard Behar made a career for himself as the President of Starbucks when there were only 28 stores, but he is also known for creating a culture dedicated to “nurturing the human spirit” through servant leadership within a corporate organization. In his book, It’s Not About the Coffee, readers will find the easy to understand leadership principles that guided the leaders of Starbucks through organizational decisions towards its exponential growth.
Servant Leadership: A Journey into the the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness
by Robert Greenleaf
Foundational concepts in robust and academic language.
Level: ASPIRING
Robert Greenleaf first coined the phrase servant leadership in 1970 when he published “The Servant as Leader” essay. Regarded as foundational reading for those interested in understanding the concepts of modern servant leadership, you will find that first iconic essay, as well as other essays and speeches written by Greenleaf himself.
Servant Leadership from the Middle
by Bernard Osborne
Debunking the myth of leadership from only the top or bottom of an organization.
Level: STORYTELLING
Bernard Osborne is a new, young voice for the Servant Leadership movement. Through an examination of traditional and new leadership techniques, as well as their application in the workplace, he brings emerging leaders through the steps they need to be the best manager, while staying true to traditional servant leadership principles.
