Reflection Paper # 3. What is your Passion?
A PASSION TO SERVE
"Servant Leadership is seen as a servant first." Robert K. Greenleaf
When we were task to come up with a speech and reflection paper about our passion, I had to engage myself in deep thought trying to figure out what my passion really is. Although I have passion for cars and fixing things, I thought they are too petty for this undertaking. That is why I try to recollect and review all my reflection papers and self awareness activities on this subject. One theme stood out with all my work, that is my PASSION to be of service to others. This has been evident not only in my work life but in my personal life as well.
I grew up in a family where "helping others" has been a norm. There were only few occasions where our family had to live with family members only, for we always have a relative or two who lives with us because my parents adopted them either temporarily or permanently. Even when we moved in Manila, our house was frequented by visitors and relatives from the province who seek for help either financially or for a temporary shelter while they are working on some document. My parents modeled in us the value of being generous and helpful without asking anything in return. Their generosity is not limited to material and financial aspects, more than anything else, they are more than willing to give their precious time to others. My mother would accompany friends and relatives in the hospital, BIR, GSIS, SSS, Philhealth etc. I witness with my parents what "selfless giving" means. Likewise, my past experiences of pains, disappointments, frustrations and failures also allowed me to develop important virtues and values that helped me in my relating with other people... And I believe this is where my motivation to help others and to be of service to others emanated.
The term "Servant Leadership" was introduced by Robert K. Greenleaf in 1970. One of the major concept of servant leadership is that the servant leader is a servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. The series of self-awareness activities shed light to the very core of my desire to be of service to others. I have the genuine desire to help others simply because I have been once in their shoes. My experience allowed me to develop genuine empathy with others. Every time I go out of company premise using my car, I would always check if somebody is out there waiting for a Jeepney and offered them a ride. Because once upon a time, I experience patiently waiting and standing there for minutes or an hour. There were also few occasions where I offer to drive for my staff and his pregnant wife to the hospital. I offer my service to them beforehand so they don't have to bother about their transportation going to the hospital. I do not look upon myself as somebody who is superior to my staff. Yes, I am the boss, but they are my fellow human beings. And I just don't give a damn about their work performance, but I try to know them on a deeper level. I know their families, their stories and their sentiments too. I visit them at the hospitals, I give my support when somebody died in their family, I attend their birthdays and other special occasions in their family. I always try to make time because that is one way of showing them how much I value them as a person...by giving my time.
Greenleaf also identified important characteristics of servant leaders. And going on these characteristics makes me more convinced that my PASSION is indeed to serve others.
First, servant leaders have good listening skills. I am always receptive on the opinion of others. Because I do believe that everybody is entitled to his opinion. I also welcome feedbacks and suggestions for I believe that two heads are better than one. As a leader, I do know that I have limitations, as I am not perfect. That is why if there are better ideas and solutions, I gladly welcome them. My willingness to listen is based on my belief that one of the greatest need of a human soul is to be understood (Stephen Covey). And to foster understanding, one must be willing to listen first.
Seek first to Understand, then to be Understood. - Stephen Covey (Seven habits of highly effective people)
Another important characteristic of a servant leader is Empathy. As mentioned earlier, this is at the very core of my intention to help, because I can genuinely empathize with other people's condition and sentiments.
"People will forget what you said; People will forget what you did; But they will never forget How you made them feel. - Maya Angelou
Next, a servant leader possess the "Art of Persuasion". I do not coerce my staff to comply, rather convince them to do things. I let them understand the what's and the why's before going to the how's.
Foresight, according to Greenleaf is the ability to foresee the likely outcome of a situation is hard to define, but easier to identify. One knows foresight when one experiences it. Foresight is a characteristic that enables the servant-leader to understand the lessons from the past, the realities of the present, and the likely consequence of a decision for the future. It is also deeply rooted within the intuitive mind. Modesty aside, I believe that this is one quality that I developed thru time. I have mentioned repeatedly on my reflections that I use SWOT and Potential Problem Analysis before I decide on something. I also use these important concepts in my personal decisions.
A servant leader also is committed to the growth of others. In my 17 years at work, I have acquired a lot of skills which I unselfishly share with my staff. Because I believe that good leaders also create leaders. I empower my staff and encouraged them to be the best that they can possibly. I am proud of their accomplishments and tell the management about it. I go as far as fighting for their salary if I believe they deserve more.
"When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves."
- William Arthur Ward
Community building is another important characteristic of a servant leader. I strongly foster camaraderie in our workplace. It was our department who first develop the culture of togetherness. We celebrate birthdays and we see to it that we gather once in a while as a sort of team building too. We won different competitions be it in sports or talent based. Our secret lies in our sense of being a team.
"Unity is strength. When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." Mattie J.T. Stepanek
And lastly, a servant leader is self-aware. Being an Engineering graduate, it's not my cup of tea to self reflect and indulge in self awareness. But as my responsibility and accountability widens in scope, I felt the need for me to pursue higher learning as the company have placed their trust in me in handling two departments. I felt that I need to go further as far my management and leadership skills are concerned in order for me to find my identity as a leader. And I am grateful with these subject and thru the series of activities we had, for it guided me in my journey to self-awareness. I was able to discover my paradigm and framework as leader. Now I can confidently label it...I am a Servant Leader.
"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." - Aristotle
I AM A SERVANT LEADER. A servant leader by heart and in deeds. A leader who values people and service for people. A leader who acknowledge people in the company as its greatest assets. A leader who capitalize on human strengths. A leader who respect values, feelings and opinion. A leader who walk the talk. A leader who cares about the welfare of the greater whole. A leader who brings out the best in the people he leads. A leader who considers his role as a Moral Responsibility.
... And I firmly believe that this is what I am called for. To serve God by serving his people. And to serve people for God's greater glory! ALL FOR GOD'S GREATER GLORY!
I dream of a better world without war
I dream of a better Philippines without poverty
I dream of a better Filipino Family with decent living
I dream for a better future for my children to see
But it all has to start from me.
I must be a leader first to myself.
Change must start with me, for these dreams to become a reality.
"True Leadership is an Opportunity to serve. It is not a trumpet call for self importance." Donald Walters
Jose Manuel Pontillas
No comments:
Post a Comment