Abraham Lincoln as a Servant Leader
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States. He is most famous for preserving the Union during the U.S. Civil War freeing southern slaves.
In Lincolns early years he was known for being a great wielder. Once his family moved he worked for years as a shopkeeper, postmaster, and eventually general store owner. While being store owner Lincoln worked a lot with the public and acquired social skills and had a talent for story-telling that made him popular. Once war broke out between the Us and Native Americans and he was asked to be the towns captain. This is what started his political career. He became a lawyer and eventually served a single term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was eventually elected president because of his popular appeal and moderate views on slavery. During his years he worked on abolishing slavery and achieved this in 1863.
During these years he exhibited Servant Leadership. One way being that Lincoln left a lasting change on the world by freeing slaves. He wasn't working towards just a simple goal that would make the day better, he lead his people towards a vision that many others thought was a dangerous one. He had the courage to lead his people and show them the way to a better world. He truly served the greater good. He had many people fighting against him but he saw that the vision was to help as many people as possible and to do this meant to free the slaves. He had a great way of empowering people which is largely viewed in the freeing of the slaves. Lincoln was a man of character and lead with moral values such as a Servant Leader should.
Lincoln was a great example of a Servant Leaders and we need more leaders like him in today's world. If we keep working towards a more just and fair future we can work towards helping the greater good and giving every live in this world the live they deserve!
References:
"Abraham Lincoln Biography." Biography, A&E Television Networks, 19 Sept. 2016, www.biography.com/people/abraham-lincoln-9382540. Accessed 25 Apr. 2017.
Mahatma Gandhi as a Servant Leader
"Mahatma Gandhi was the primary leader of India’s independence movement and also the architect of a form of non-violent civil disobedience that would influence the world" (Mahatma Gandhi Biography).
- Born October 2nd, 1869 in Porbandar, India
- Studied law and was an advocate for Indians civil rights
- Became leader of independence for India moment
- Organized peaceful protests
Why was Gandhi a Servant Leader?
Gandhi was a true servant to others and truly denied the power he could have used. He even wore a loin cloth and voluntarily stayed in poverty. He did not want to power, he just wanted to help his people get equal rights. Gandhi was always helping those in need by helping teach English to Indians, volunteering to nurse during the black plague, and much more.
Gandhi was his authentic self and had great humility. He was able to share his power and let young leaders in the Indian National Congress move above him and helped them grow. He also had great integrity. An example of this is when he was in South Africa campaigning for the cause of how Indians were treated there. The news blew the story out of proportion and caused a lot of tension with the whites at the time. When he returned to India there were people waiting to throw stones, eggs, and to beat him. After when he was asked by authorities who had done this to him so they could be punished he refused to give their names because he said it was not their fault because of the perception the news had given them. He forgave his abusers and did not want revenge.
Another key quality of a Servant Leader that Gandhi had was the ability to collaborate. He did a great job of working along side Indians to help them fight for their rights and to fight right along side of them. When he went to South Africa he was treated horribly but this did not stop him from going and collaborating from the Indians there and working with them to make a better life for themselves. Even as a congress leader Gandhi always consulted with his co-workers.
Gandhi possessed many of the qualities it takes to be a Servant Leader. I strive to achieve this type of Servant Leadership and I feel the world needs more leaders like Gandhi to get their hands dirty and work to make a better world for everyone.
References
Barnabas, Annette, and Paul S. Clifford. "Mahatma Gandhi - An Indian Model of Servant Leadership." International Journal of Leadership Studies, vol 7, no. 2, 2012. Accessed 3 Apr. 2017.
"Mahatma Gandhi Biography." Biography, A&E Television Networks, 1 Oct. 2015. Accessed 4 Apr. 2017.
