Leadership for Effective Service

Abstract

The complexity of society and the problems it is facing demand that people work collaboratively. Certain styles of leadership will not work for collaborative ventures. For example, the authoritarian leader cannot work collaboratively, because he/she cannot create the atmosphere of creativity and freedom needed to deal with the issues of our technologically advanced society. Service is a major component of leadership in any organization or society. There must be an ethic of effective service among all citizens if society is going to successfully maneuver through the 1990s and beyond. Moreover, service must be incorporated within leadership for an ethic of effective service to become a reality. This paper will examine what kind of leadership is needed to promote an ethic of effective service. First, a more ecological (holistic) definition and perspective of leadership are laid out that allow us to view leadership in a more holistic manner. Second, service is presented as part and parcel of the kind of leadership needed to promote an ethic of effective service. Third, certain characteristics of the leader's style are suggested which promote an ethic of effective leadership. Fourth, the process and environment that promote service leadership are discussed. Finally, simplicity is presented as being consistently intertwined with a leader's lifestyle.