Good leaders must first become good servants. Robert K. Greenleaf More Quotes by Robert K. Greenleaf More Quotes From Robert K. Greenleaf The best leaders are clear. They continually light the way, and in the process, let each person know that what they do makes a difference. The best test as a leader is: Do those served grow as persons; do they become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become leaders? Robert K. Greenleaf differences light leadership The servant-leader is servant first... It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first. Robert K. Greenleaf choices change leadership Moral authority is another way to define servant leadership because it represents a reciprocal choice between leader and follower. If the leader is principle centered, he or she will develop moral authority. If the follower is principle centered, he or she will follow the leader. In this sense, both leaders and followers are followers. Why? They follow truth. They follow natural law. They follow principles. They follow a common, agreed-upon vision. They share values. They grow to trust one another. Robert K. Greenleaf choices leader law Leadership must first and foremost meet the needs of others. Robert K. Greenleaf leadership needs firsts Servant leadership always empathizes, always accepts the person, but sometimes refuses to accept some of the person's effort or performance as good enough. Robert K. Greenleaf servant-leadership effort sometimes A Leader is one who ventures and takes the risks of going out ahead to show the way and whom others follow, voluntarily, because they are persuaded that the leader's path is the right one-for them, probably better than they could devise for themselves. Robert K. Greenleaf going-out risk leader Ego can’t sleep. It micro-manages. It disempowers. It reduces our capability. It excels in control. Robert K. Greenleaf servant-leadership ego sleep Where there is not community, trust, respect, ethical behavior are difficult for the young to learn and for the old to maintain. Robert K. Greenleaf servant-leadership community behavior Nothing much happens without a dream. For something really great to happen, it takes a really great dream. Robert K. Greenleaf really-great vision dream The servant leader is servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve. Robert K. Greenleaf leader want feelings A statement of vision is the overarching purpose, the big dream, the visionary concept-something presently out of reach-so stated that it excites the imagination and chlalenges people to work for something they do not yet know how to do. Robert K. Greenleaf imagination dream people Don't assume, because you are intelligent, able, and well-motivated, that you are open to communication, that you know how to listen. Robert K. Greenleaf able communication intelligent The quality of a society will be judged by what the least privileged in it achieves. Robert K. Greenleaf privileged achieve quality Who is the enemy? Who is holding back more rapid movement to the better society that is reasonable and possible with available resources?...Evil, stupidity, apathy, the 'system' are not the enemy...The real enemy is fuzzy thinking on the part of good, intelligent, vital people...In short, the enemy is strong natural servants who have the potential to lead but do not lead, or who choose to follow a non-servant. Robert K. Greenleaf intelligent strong real One must not be afraid of a little silence. Some find silence awkward or oppressive. But a relaxed approach to dialogue will include the welcoming of some silence. It is often a devastating question to ask oneself, but it is sometimes important to ask it - 'In saying what I have in mind will I really improve on the silence? Robert K. Greenleaf awkward silence mind Purpose and laughter are the twins that must not separate. Each is empty without the other. Robert K. Greenleaf laughter twins purpose On an important decision one rarely has 100% of the information needed for a good decision no matter how much one spends or how long one waits. And, if one waits too long, he has a different problem and has to start all over. This is the terrible dilemma of the hesitant decision maker. Robert K. Greenleaf decision waiting long Even the frankest and bravest of subordinates do not talk with their boss the same way they talk with colleagues. Robert K. Greenleaf boss owners way Not much happens without a dream. And for something great to happen, there must be a great dream. Behind every great achievement is a dreamer of great dreams. Much more than a dreamer is required to bring it to reality; but the dream must be there first. Robert K. Greenleaf achievement dream reality The only test of leadership is that somebody follows. Robert K. Greenleaf tests leadership
