One of my students in the Leadership Strategies course I am currently teaching included the following quote in his latest paper. I must give credit to him for finding a real gem for us to use as our All Things Leadership lesson today. The quote is from Bachelder in 2015, which stated,
“The Dare-to-Serve Leader has that unique combination of traits—enough courage to take the team to a daring destination, and enough humility to serve the people well on the journey. Together these traits foster the environment for superior performance”
Isn’t that a great statement? We’ve all heard of daring and courageous transformational leaders who have stood firm on their commitment to making sweeping changes to organizational systems, however, I’ve never heard the statement “dare to serve” and I think that is a call to arms for those of us authentic servant leaders to be just as bold and brave, not by leading the charge, but by serving the chargers!
I believe that by doing so it demonstrates the greatest form of leadership – humility.
As you lead today, be brave and bold, leading your team to new levels through great strategy and the courage to make needed changes, but first, be humble and serve your people. You will find that this will cause them to be even more committed to your leadership and the mission you together strive to achieve. Serve them and they will follow you. I dare you to serve first!
Lead well.