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Joan Jiazhen Chen
Dynamic servant leaders must plug into the organization. A leader must roll up their sleeves and work with the people, not only touting the vision but gaining credibility through serving side by side with team members. For instance, the InstaPot will only work if it had been built without any defects and plugged into a working electrical outlet. If any of the systems do not do its part, the InstaPot will not work. The relationship between the leader and the team is reciprocal and takes everyone’s effort to create success. There are many ways that the dynamic servant leader can plug into the organization and develop a meaningful relationship creating something as good as a bowl of chicken soup on a cold winter day.
I have never had an InstaPot myself. All I know is that an InstaPot has multi-functions such as a slow cooker, fryer and pressure cooker. All functions of an InstaPot are important, but to me, the On/Off button is the most important control button. If this On/Off button is not working, the InstaPot would be shut off. When the InstaPot is not ON, all its multifunctions would not work. Only when the InstaPot is kept ON working properly, it can produce different delicious meals with its different multifunctions. As an educational servant leader, we have to make sure the school we serve is ON with all the departments running and functioning smoothly. Especially, we have to make sure to always “turn on” the staff we are leading, not to shut them off.
“A servant leader is committed to helping each person in the organization grow personally and professionally. Commitment can take many forms, including providing followers with opportunities for career development, helping them develop new work skills, taking a personal interest in their ideas, and involving them in decision making. Servant leaders build the school community to provide a place where people can feel safe and connected with others but are still allowed to express their own individuality (Northhouse, 2016, p. 229-230).”
In my view, as a servant leader, we have to uplift and support all our staff personally and professionally all the time so that all the staff can use their different talents to serve the school community well. Particularly, when we retain excellent teachers, they use their potential and capabilities to cultivate brilliant future stars such as future scientists, doctors, engineers, and astronauts.
Recipes for the Chicken Soup for Servant Leaders
1. Provide effective mentorship and peer support for new or struggling staff.
A dynamic servant leader would implement a mentorship program through efficient training and tutoring. The leader would encourage peer support through peer shadowing.
2. Offer constructive feedback, not criticism.
A dynamic servant leader would not be judgemental or critical , but always offers both positive and constructive feedbacks to help staff learn and grow professionally and personally.
3. Forgive gracefully when the people you lead make mistakes.
A dynamic servant leader is also a gracious leader. When a leader forgives, the staff would not be afraid of making mistakes especially when they explore new ways to do work. Staff would be bold enough to take risk and turn to be innovative and creative.
4. Offer social-emotional support to staff.
A dynamic servant leader would always provide opportunities for the staff to connect with each other. The dynamic servant leader shows genuine care for each staff.
5. Listen to staff and encourage them to talk in meetings. Respect differing opinions.
A dynamic servant leader would not be the only person who dominates the staff meeting. Such a leader would give a chance to each staff to express their feelings and share their insights.