In these months of intense
political campaigning the issue of what constitutes effective leadership is decidedly
in the air. While there is a ton of
rhetoric and soap boxing engaged by civic, business, educational, healthcare
and other leaders, both ancient legacies and recent theories postulate that a
highly effective form of leadership is what is known as “servant
leadership”—the style of leadership that places service to others as the
highest priority. More accurately
described as a life style, servant leadership can and should be engaged by all
who interact with others. At the heart
of servant leadership is an enduring respect for humanity and recognition of
the constant processes of growth and development that are prime motivators of
behavior. The servant leader provides a
model of selfless concern for others that transcends rank and role. When you are with a servant leader you know
it. You feel calm and confident, heard
and respected. We are fortunate at Yo
San University to have superb models of servant leadership in our faculty, clinical
supervisors, interns and externs, tutors and mentors, students helping
students, and so many other human beings who serve our community making it the special
place that it is.
-Larry Ryan Ph.D.