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Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness 25th Anniversary Edition Hardcover – Deluxe Edition, November 1, 2002

by Robert K. Greenleaf (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 767 ratings
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The Revolution Has Only Just Begun Twenty-five years ago Robert Greenleaf published these prophetic essays on what he coined servant leadership, a practical philosophy that replaces traditional autocratic leadership with a holistic, ethical approach. This highly influential book has been embraced by cutting edge management everywhere. Yet in these days of Enron and what VISA CEO Dee Hock calls our "era of massive institutional failure," Greenleaf's seminal work must reach the mainstream now more than ever. Servant Leadership― · helps leaders find their true power and moral authority to lead. · helps those served become healthier, wiser, freer, and more autonomous. · encourages collaboration, trust, listening, and empowerment. · offers long-lasting change, not a temporary fix. · extends beyond business for leaders of all types of groups. †
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    370 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Paulist Press
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 2002
  5. Dimensions
    5.75 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0809105543
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0809105540
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Servant Leadership is one of those rare books that will live far beyond the life of its creator. -- James A. Autry, author of Servant Leader and Love & Profit

This book will create leadership that contains such virtues as growth, responsibility and love. --Warren Bennis, Distinguished Professor, Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California; author of Organizing Genius

This is both symbol and substance on the shelf of anyone blessed with the opportunity to lead. --John Carver, author of Boards That Make a Difference

This most welcomed new edition will influence a new generation to serve better. --Godric Ernest Scott Bader, Life President, Scott Bader Commonwealth Ltd.

About the Author

Robert K. Greenleaf is considered the creator of the modern trend to empower employees; he also coined the term servant-leadership. He was a top executive in management, research, development, and education at AT&T, as well as a visiting lecturer at MIT's Sloan School of Management and Harvard Business School. He also taught at Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia. Upon his retirement from AT&T, he founded the Center for Applied Ethics, which eventually became the Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, located in Indianapolis. Greenleaf died in 1990 at the age of 86.

Larry C. Spears is CEO of the Greenleaf Center in Indianapolis, IN.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Paulist Press; Anniversary edition (November 1, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0809105543
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0809105540
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.04 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 767 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Larry C. Spears

    Larry C. Spears

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    Larry C. Spears was born in Virginia. He has lived much of his life in Detroit, Philadelphia, and Indianapolis. Larry is a graduate of DePauw University (Greencastle, Indiana). He began his writing and editing career at the age of fourteen. Larry has edited or co-edited seventeen books on servant-leadership since 1995; and, he is a contributing author to a total of 34 books. He is the President of The Larry C. Spears Center for Servant-Leadership (Indianapolis, IN). From 1990-2007 Larry served as President & CEO, and as President Emeritus & Senior Scholar of The Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership (Westfield, IN). Spears is also Servant-Leader Scholar at Gonzaga University School for Leadership Studies (Spokane, Washington). He teaches graduate courses in servant-leadership, and in listening, for Gonzaga. Larry also serves as Senior Advisory Editor for the International Journal of Servant-Leadership, a joint project of Gonzaga University and The Spears Center. Hobbies include genealogy, reading, writing, travel, and time spent in Cape May, New Jersey.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Robert K. Greenleaf

    Robert K. Greenleaf

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Robert K. Greenleaf (1904-1990) founded the Center in 1964 as the Center for Applied Ethics. Greenleaf was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, and spent most of his organizational life in the field of management, research, development, and education at AT&T.

    When Greenleaf retired from AT&T in 1964, he launched a new career as speaker, writer, and consultant. Greenleaf coined the term "Servant Leadership," and wrote and spoke extensively on the subject. In 1970 he published "The Servant as Leader," an essay which launched the servant leadership movement in the United States.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
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767 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States

Shawn Henning
5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable read for those who care about functioning organizations.
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2014
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While there were parts that were a bit dry to the modern reader, as a whole this book does a nice job of explaining the components of Servant Leadership across different types of organizations. It tends to focus more on the top levels of the organization and less on the layers below. It does talk about the importance of every person needing to be able to take on the role of leader, but the most text is devoted to the trustee and executive level. The focus is important as an organization often needs top-level buy-in to embrace Servant Leadership, it limits the value of the book to a narrow audience of people who comprise those groups and makes the contents seem an academic theory rather than a reality to the wider audience who may not be able to do anything with the information.
5 people found this helpful
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Beth Bouchard
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect condition
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2024
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Fast shipping, excellent condition
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Meem
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, thoughtful little book
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2020
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Love this book. Got my first copy when it came out in the 1970’s. Gave it to Brice as graduation from college present. Good for someone starting a career and deciding how they want to act as they develop as a compassionate worker. You always learn something new no matter how many times you read it.
4 people found this helpful
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C. L. St Cyr
4.0 out of 5 stars Still relevant today
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2022
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I waited a long time to read this book. I heard much about servant leadership from plenty of other sources. I figured it was time to read the foundational document. The first part of the book is the best the second part is a series of articles and speeches that as value but are not necessary for understanding.
One person found this helpful
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George Patrick Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars Servant Leadership Revisited
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2012
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A thought inspiring work by a true pioneer in the field of Leadership Studies. Robert Greenleaf's powerful voice resonates louder today than when first published over twenty five years ago. This seminal masterpiece should be visited and revisited by "servants" who have been trusted with positions of leadership, those who aspire to ethically lead through contributive service, as well as serious students of leadership theory, policy and practice.

George Patrick Murphy, Founder, proposed Center for Ethical Leadership and Well-Being, Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii.
2 people found this helpful
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Princess of Podunk
5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly as described
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2021
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I received this book in excellent condition. I loved that it had a few personal notes written in it from the original owner. Loved the book, still relevant today. Would order from this seller again.
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Kafropuff
3.0 out of 5 stars Great Insight, But Wordy
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2017
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Robert Greenleaf presents a compelling argument for servant leadership. In fact, when I look at when it is written, it has more application to present day than it did at the time it was written. The difficulty I had is that what was said in 360 pages could have been said in 150 pages. Concepts are repeated over and over again, and the detail is often not helpful. Overall, I felt it introduced great principles, but within the framework of excessive unimportant detail.
7 people found this helpful
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Rodney Hall
5.0 out of 5 stars Life Changer
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2012
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I read this book for the first time several years ago and find myself returning to, and quoting, it often. It is simply the best leadership book of the plethora that I have read. Every top-level leader should read Servant Leadership to gain a better understanding of what leadership truly is. Second-chair and other leaders should read it before they "get to the top" so they are better prepared for and able to avoid the many pitfalls.

This book should be mandatory for our "public servants!"
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Sandra Molendyk
5.0 out of 5 stars Very inspiring
Reviewed in Canada on September 10, 2023
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I bought this book for a servant leadership course, and was very inspired and motivated.
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Cristina Cantu
5.0 out of 5 stars Buen libro
Reviewed in Mexico on April 25, 2022
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Me gusto mucho la impresión
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Ricardo
4.0 out of 5 stars Algo denso
Reviewed in Spain on September 29, 2023
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Es un compendio de artículos. De ahí que la estructura no sea la mejor para empezar en el tema. Algo denso. Pero un buen libro
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Kurt Lehberger
5.0 out of 5 stars Convincing – we need these leaders in such disruptive times
Reviewed in Germany on August 21, 2020
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One of the most remarkable books of leadership is “The Servant as a Leader” by Robert K. Greenleaf. Although it is written some decades ago (1977) it comprises still the most valid principles of leadership. The insights are profound, sometimes philosophical. The major ideas are mirrored in the modern management theories.
‘The Servant as Leader’ is a fundamental essay about leadership without authority in a world with changes and uncertainty. The most important characteristics and activities of Servant Leaders are described. Examples are given which show that individual efforts, leaded by a strong vision and a servant approach and ethical principles, will yield substantial enhancements in work relationships and in the quality of society in general. Greenleaf outlines and discusses the skills necessary to be a Servant Leader. The wisdom and experiences, he is sharing with us, fit to our leader role as Project Managers and to the leader in all kind of organizations. The high productive and creative working environment with high motivated people are possible if we have the right leaders. The most crucial characteristics are self-awareness, foresight and active listening. The leader as Servant Leader gains and exerts persuasive power instead of applying coercive and manipulative behaviour.
Who is a Servant Leader?
The Servant Leader is a kind of leader who serves first. This is a central aspect. Serving means to set the highest priority to the needs of other people who are being served. How to prove the achievement of such kind of leadership? The people, while being served, grow, “become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous and more likely themselves to become servants” and even Servant Leader in future. A virtuous circle is being evolved, in which team members and leaders reinforce each other. “Servant leadership produces virtuous cycles of service.”
The Servant Leader is convinced of something that is good for the mankind and is keen to engage and inspire others to achieve the common goal. She/He has the dream that something should become better and he firmly believes in the change.
The Servant Leader is not looking for power and authority or money and fame. The drive lies in aspiration. She/He is inspired and wants to change something meaningful. She/He has a clear vision that one can achieve something important, a healthy thing. She/He is the true leader if she/he is seen as a servant. The team members receive advice and support and freely respond to her/him to achieve the common goal.
“Faith is the choice of the nobler hypothesis.” The Servant Leader is inside humble. She/He doesn’t say that she/he knows the way. On contrary, she/he as a leader is always searching, listening and expecting that there is always a better way to achieve the goal.
The Servant Leader has a high self-awareness. She/He recognizes her/himself as an individual with her/his individual traits, feelings, and behaviors. She/He is a critical thinker. She/He is aware that nothing can be known for sure. She/He works with hypothesis and tries to find the best fit and follows this way. If the result is not satisfying she/he re-examines the hypothesis. This attitude shows her/his belief in continuous learning and she/he refines the approach and is open for fresh new choices and ready for changes.
The Servant Leader has a goal, an overarching purpose, a big dream, a vision. By clearly stating the goal the leader gives certainty and purpose to others and inspires them to participate in the journey. To have success it is more needed to have a dream first. Then it needs assertive behaviour and discipline. Undoubtedly, no great achievement is coming true without the dream first.
What counts most to get a successful leader?
Listening and understanding
Greenleaf makes an example of how true listening makes the difference. A leader was asked to sort out a complex problem in an institution. She/He was convinced to get the solution when she/he will ask all who are involved, and she/he conducted interviews and spent many hours with the people individually to elicit the knowledge about the issues. After six weeks the problem was solved, and the process was healed. She/He was able to learn and received the insights needed to set the right course. She/Here the answer is listening first. It is a long arduous discipline of learning listening. The good thing is one can learn it. Once you have learned listening you will be a better communicator as well.
Communication matters.
The goal is to convey the real meaning. The means are words, imaginations, examples. You should not be trapped in your own verbal world and be flexible to convey your message. If the leader has no authority, then he has to lead by persuasion. Convincing is obviously the better way than coercion to achieve changing a person's attitude or behaviour.
Fighting and withdraw
Find the right balance in fighting and withdrawal! The ability to withdraw and reorient oneself, to apply the art of systematic neglect, to sort out the more important from the less important – and the important from the urgent – and attend to the more important, are the key elements to be successful.
Acceptance and Empathy
These are connected traits for a successful leader. The attitude to receive what is offered and the set one’s own consciousness into another being have a real impact. For example, a teacher should always accept each pupil and never reject a student. The great leader has deep down inside empathy and an unqualified acceptance of the person she/he wants to lead. This behaviour implies a tolerance of imperfection. The secret is to be able to form a team of such people by lifting them up to grow taller than they would otherwise be. Leader who accept and respect others can even criticize performance in terms of their capability of doing and they can establish trustful relationships. Trust is an invaluable asset for teamwork.
Know the unknowable
A successful leader needs to have a sense for uncertainty. The ability to foresee the unforeseeable, to expect the unexpected is needed to lead. This is a kind of intuitive insight. If the leader would wait until she/he has all information to make the right decision it would often be too late and sometime also too costly. Better to make the right decision on time with some degree of uncertainty. The art of leadership rests, in part, on the ability to bridge the information gap by intuition. Leaders must be more creative and ready to push into the unknown. “Every once in a while a leader finds himself needing to think like a scientist, an artist, or a poet.”
Foresight – The Central Ethic of Leadership
“The ‘now’ is the moving concept in which past, present moment, and future are one organic unity.”. A practicing leader incorporates the roles of historian, the contemporary analyst and the prophet, the future scientist. This is a concept of life. In the turbulent business world and under the stress of the modern life the Servant Leader enters these situations with the necessary experience and knowledge and intuitive insights to reach an optimal performance. This is the only way to maintain serenity in the face of uncertainty. “…bearing in mind that there are always emergencies and the optimum includes carrying an unused reserve of energy in all periods of normal demand so that one has the resilience to cope with the emergency.”
“Foresight is the ‘lead’ the leader has.”. Greenleaf cites abundant current examples of loss of leadership which stems from failure to foresee what reasonably could have been foreseen. Today, in a disruptive world where changes are so rapid and new concepts disrupt common economic models, it is so important.
The concept of Greenleaf is getting more important in a complex world where leaders are needed who can build trust and serve others to reach the strategic goals without having the organizational power and authority.
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5.0 out of 5 stars leitura obrigatóriaq
Reviewed in Brazil on July 18, 2017
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Leitura obrigatória para quem vive ou quer viver a aprendizagem organizacional. Os destaques feitos pelos leitores sempre enriquecem a experiência.
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