Jesus: “…I
am among you as one who serves” - Luke 22:27
In servant leader organizations a dedicated
Human Resource department or presence can contribute to its success or failure
in a big way.
A
NEW ERA
Shifting the metanarrative is the area where meaningful,
transformative leadership operates. Humanity’s recent
narrative (relatively speaking) has contained elements of material abundance;
simple, linear, direct cause and effect; dualistic logic; the religious
overriding the spiritual; the scientific overriding the spiritual, (patriarchal)
order and control; and all that is non-paradoxical. A struggle for survival of the fittest pervades
every area of our existence. Based on her biological observations, Elisabet
Sahtouris paints a picture of beliefs informed and shaped by this scientific
worldview. Societies and most businesses
are “conceived, organized and run as hierarchical mechanics”. Even so-called ‘free’ markets are regulated to
serve narrow interests. (Sahtouris, 2005)
Our cosmological,
theological and sociological belief systems seem to be well out of line with
recent findings (ironically, mainly scientific) that indicate a slowly emerging
new, overarching metanarrative. A different narrative that contains elements of
the holistic, of mutually dependent, interconnected and continuously evolving
ecosystems. (All life) sustainable systems characterised by complexity and the
ability to self-organise, by non-dualism, freedom and belonging. A story where science and spirituality no
longer collide. Hence more voices are
being raised to herald a ‘new consciousness’.
At a more micro
level, Ross et al give a good account of how in recent times leadership and
management behaviours are beginning to shift, how servant leader organizations
are an antidote to traditional, mechanistic organizations. (Ross et al, 2014). A narrative that is being reframed. But toxic, old-style organizations
still exist and are in the majority. “Toxic leadership is a multidimensional
construct that includes elements of abusive supervision along with narcissism,
authoritarianism, self-promotion, and unpredictability” (Ross et al, 2014
citing Dobbs, 2014, p. 15). We can clearly see these elements in
politics, business and other societal institutions – at every level.
It is in this
context that we have issued articles on mature
agent-based ethics, spiritual governance and leadership, higher purpose and
meaning, love at work, the influencing power of compassion, sources of true
happiness, sustainability, and various models and branches of spiritual
leadership and virtuous organizations. It is in this context that we have
witnessed the resurgence of servant leadership in new guises. A response to a
world in turmoil. A shift from the conventional, traditional, what needs to
change – to the spiritual.
THE SERVANT
LEADERSHIP APPROACH
The servant
leadership approach is not doormat leadership. It is founded on sound
psychological, spiritual, practical principles. Putting on a larger mind (metanoia) the
servant leader is not self-serving, but self-emptying (kenosis) and
other-serving. Forming and building relationships in order to equip others to
meet the organization’s and its member’s needs, goals and purpose. “Honest
and caring concern for others leads to empowerment and emotional support which
inspires the members to embrace the needs of the organization and creates a
learning environment that is conducive to producing optimal performance from
their employees”. (Ross et al, 2014)
Essential
differences in philosophy and operation between the traditional and the
spiritual, are:
.
Machine age
operations contain the potential for toxic workplaces. “…. Certain organizations with rigid hierarchical structures like the
military had characteristics of subordination and abusive control”. (Ross et al, 2014 citing Schmidt, 2014)
By contrast the
serving, stewarding leader, “more than any style of leadership …. addresses the
psychological needs of people within an organisation”. (van Dierendonck, 2011) Indeed, addresses the whole
person: physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual. And a large
body of research points to the success of pioneering servant leader
organizations, both large and small.
THE ROLE/CONTRIBUTION/DEMEANOUR
OF HR
It can be argued
that the leader at the top, supported by those in the line, are what makes it all
happen. Having said that, in medium to larger organisations, next to the CEO,
the Head of HR is the most important appointment in any organisation wanting to
establish, maintain and enhance a servant leader culture.
Wisdom from Holly
Culhane, CEO and Founder of Presence Point, Inc.: “Having spent 30 years in strategic HR, I
have a deep belief that when the executive leadership team of an
organization is on board with supporting a servant leadership
culture, it is HR's role is to help develop and coach people around what
that looks like, how to live it, and how to hold folks accountable to it.
At the very least, it is HR's role to demonstrate servant leadership throughout
the organization”.
In
support of this contention:
- Shirley Bullard (Chief Administrative Officer, Ken Blanchard Companies) mantra was “putting the other person first while exercising leadership”. Non-self-serving actions but rather other-serving actions (role-modelled in HR) means putting employees first, taking care of them, making them the stars (heroes of the story) – and always thinking, feeling and acting congruently. Ken’s new book on servant leadership appears in the bibliography. (Blanchard & Broadwell (Eds), 2018)
· It is being recognized that “…the needs in the work environment, and
therefore the appropriate set of strategies for successful HR management, are
rapidly changing” (Marques, 2005) and “There
is a heightening expectation … that HR will shift its role from simply
providing the delivery mechanism to become a new business driver of change” and “Understanding the spiritual will become an
important part of workplace human development”. (Marques, 2005 citing
Anonymous, 2001)
The HR function,
in service of and following line policies, play a major role in, amongst other
things:
- Helping to heal hurting workplaces. “Father Tredget, a former businessman, translates this responsibility as follows: ‘There are far too many damaged people in workplaces up and down this country’” and “A spiritually-friendly workplace will have greater staff-retention rates, so lowering recruitment costs. It will see an increase in creativity and innovation, improved morale, better cooperation and teamwork and a superior interface between the organization and its customers”. (Marques, 2005 citing Anonymous, 2001) HR can show the way to establishing safe, empowering workplaces, to orchestrating spaces and places as incubators of individual spirituality. They can display warmth, role-model serving as part of a spiritual culture (“…there are positive and meaningful correlations between spiritual leadership indices and human resource development” – Saeedi et al, 2013), broaden thinking around environmental, social and economic sustainability, act as custodians of the organization’s virtues development, help members reach a solid home/society/work balance (without compartmentalizing) and a healthy lifestyle integration, offer a counselling and coaching resource. HR can contribute to healthy or toxic organizations (Ross et al, 2014)
- Assisting leaders, aspiring leaders and others to discover themselves – a primary need (For example the programme of purpose, leading, and mastery that we offer in response to a desire for a purpose and meaning package by leaders).
Our programme aligns with leadership learning
to “… avoid the toxic side of leadership
by gaining a sense of self, build on strengths and weaknesses through feedback
and reflection, and look for trust within their organization”. (Ross et al,
2014, citing Bolman & Deal, 2009). It is a learning programme that goes far
beyond “education”.
- Embracing diversity as diversity increases in workplaces in all its forms (to facilitate tolerance, acceptance and appreciation. And to improve the organization’s capacity to solve problems, make decisions, master sense-making, build true community, and to respond more nimbly and quickly to threats, changes and innovation needs)
- Recruiting, on-boarding and developing people characteristics and potential, above and as well as their skills, knowledge, experience
- Proactively developing employees’ higher purpose and related virtues (in line with those of the organization)
Indeed, “What part of the organization is more
involved in the human factor and, hence, in human connection, work-life
balance, personal growth, and meaning at work, than the Human Resource
department?” (Marques, 2005)
In performing these functions, HR contribute importantly to providing:
- A secure, safe, relational and engaged workplace
- An overall atmosphere and activities that support a servant leadership culture
- An enviable reputation
- A longer term triple bottom line to be proud of
TIPS
·
In carrying out their functions in a servant leader
context, HR should take every effort to set up collaborative, across-department
projects, because projects are fertile ground for fostering spirituality. Adapting, utilizing and spreading the esprit de corps that is so often present
in small project teams (and which may include spiritual elements such as
purpose and meaning, authentic relationships, belonging and bonding,
responsibility and trust, adventure and discovery, intrinsic satisfaction,
meaningful cultural and social interactions…..) (Sense & Fernando, 2010;
Aronson et al, 2001; Ashmos & Duchon, 2000)
·
Orchestrate conversations that allow for the
addressing of key topics in a safe, inclusive and empowering environment (See www.culturescan.biz and http://www.haloandnoose.com/content.asp?PageID=49 )
·
Network with like-minded organizations in your
vicinity to share ways of overcoming resistances and blockages, lip service,
new findings, things that work
·
Appreciate the value and potential contribution to
all aspects of the business of deeper mindfulness, and the deft application of
story, imagery and metaphor
So, in your organization which
narrative will you feed?
“The
practice of SLHRM is challenging in both the servant leader and greater
leadership world. We will face great moral temptations to adopt instrumental
standards to achieve success. It requires great character strength to resist
the powerful incentives to compromise our values. The human heart is deceptive,
and we fail to see the traps, snares, and value compromises that on the surface
appear righteous. It is important for SLHRM organizations to work
collaboratively to create a culture of virtuous motives, means, and ends in all
aspects of HR practice. These enclaves demonstrate the love and power of
servant leadership as a viable alternative to instrumental leadership
worldviews. However, regrettably, even some SLHRM-espousing organizations
practice SLHRM principles and the Golden Rule with less passion and
faithfulness than non-adherents do”. (Roberts, 2014)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Aronson, Zvi H.; Lechler, Thomas;
Reilly, Richard R.; Shenhar, Aaron J. (Stevens Institute of Technology) (2001) Project
Spirit - A Strategic Concept Published in Management of Engineering and
Technology (Publisher: IEEE)
Ashmos, Donde P & Duchon,
Dennis (University of Texas at San Antonio) (2000) Spirituality at Work: a conceptualization
and measure Journal of Management Inquiry. Vol 9 No. 2 June 2000 134-145 ©
Sage Publications, Inc.
Blanchard, Ken
& Broadwell, Renee (2018) Servant Leadership in Action: how you can achieve
great relationships and results Berrett-Koehler Publishers Oakland, California
Culhane, Holly J.
(2018) Private email correspondence with the author
Marques,
Joan (2005) HR’s Crucial Role in the
Establishment of Spirituality in the Workplace The Journal of American
Academy of Business, Cambridge Vol
7 Num
2 September, 2005
Citing Anonymous (2001) HR specialists “will lead e-business” Human resource Management
International Digest, 9 (1) 29
Roberts, Gary
(Regent University, Virginia) (2014) Servant
Leader Human Resource Management Organizational Integrity. A
chapter in Servant Leader Human Resource
Management: a moral and spiritual perspective
Palgrave MacMillan NY
Ross, David B;
Matteson, Rande & Exposito, Julie (2014) Servant Leadership to Toxic Leadership: power of influence over power
of control Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler college of
Education
Citing Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E.
(2009). Battles and beliefs: Rethinking
the roles of today’s leaders. Leadership in Action, 29(5), 14-18.
Citing Dobbs, J. M. (2014). The relationship between perceived toxic
leadership styles, leader effectiveness, and organizational cynicism.
Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 3575052)
Citing Schmidt, A. A. (2014). An examination of toxic leadership, job
outcomes, and the impact of military deployment. Available from ProQuest
Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 3627674)
Saeedi, Nima;
Amidzadeh, Mozhgan; Nadoushan, Mohammed Ebrahim Sabbaghi and Hosseini, Ali
Asghar (2013) Studying the Influence of
Spiritual Leadership on Human Resource Development (Case Study: An Iranian
Company) Elixir International
Journal, Human Resource Management 56 (2013) 13467-13470
Sahtouris, Elisabet, PhD (2005) The Biology of Business; new laws of nature reveal a better way for
business An expanded version of an article that originally appeared in VIA
Journal, Vol three, Number One, Summer 2005
Sense, Andrew J & Fernando,
Mario (School of Management and Marketing, Faculty of Commerce, University of
Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia) (2010) The spiritual identity
of projects International Journal of Project Management 29 (2011) 504–513 ©
2010 Elsevier Ltd. and IPMA. All rights reserved.
Van Dierendonck, Dirk (2011) (Professor of Human Resource Management
at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University) 6 Key Servant Leader Attributes IEDP
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