Other Types of Leadership
Servant Leadership

Servant leadership is a very different concept from the rest of the leadership styles I have mentioned before.

In fact, it is not a leadership style.

It is an attitude.

The Origin of Servant Leadership

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This concept originated in the Bible; when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.

Let’s catch the story from the Book of John:

After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. (John 13:5-8,12-15, New King James Version)

Having a heart of servanthood is not weakness; it is strength.

A person who has the power to order and dictate people’s actions chooses instead to put himself at the service of his people.

That is servanthood.

You adopt an attitude that we are serving the vision and serving our team.

This means putting their needs before your own, and taking care of their needs before you consider your needs.

Having an attitude of servanthood gains you a lot of respect from your followers, because they would know that you are not serving your own agenda, but you have their interests at heart as well.

Start adopting the attitude of a servant, and you will begin to draw a team of passionate people willing to run all the way for your cause!

Other Theories of
Types of Leadership

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» Servant leadership
Servant leadership is not so much a style, but an attitude that a leader adopts. It finds its roots in the Bible.

» Strategic leadership
One would find strategic leadership in business organizations where change management is required and a strategic vision is necessary for the business to grow.

» Autocratic Leadership
An autocratic leadership style is somewhat like a directive leadership style; but autocratic leaders are generally more task oriented. They expect their task to be done and they do not consider their follower’s feelings in their decision-making.

» Democratic leadership
A democratic leadership style is in the opposite spectrum of the autocratic leadership style. Also known as the participative leadership style, this type of leaders generally seeks a consensus on the direction of a group. They are generally more people oriented and the feelings and thoughts of their followers matter to them.

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