Ready to Start Your Journey?
How?
That is the question we get asked most often at Sophia.
How do I become a servant-leader?
How does my organization incorporate servant leadership into its practices?
It isn’t a one-way street to success.
There is no perfect path to being a servant-leader. 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.
Leadership = 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 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.
Servant Leadership is a journey of growth! That means even we continue to grow in our knowledge of servant leadership philosophies.
Do you have books or resources to add to this list? Let us know!
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. Buy it online here.
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. He encourages everyone to become more self-aware and seek to continually improve ourselves, so we can use experiences to make the changes necessary to better our lives and the lives of others.
Through an examination of traditional and new leadership techniques, as well as their application in the workplace, Servant Leadership from the Middle brings emerging leaders through the steps they need to be the best manager, while staying true to traditional servant leadership principles.
