Page 24 - Harnessing the Strengths

A Universal Given ■ 7

One of the most well-known servant-leaders of the
twentieth century was Mother Teresa, who was quoted
as saying, “There is joy in transcending yourself to serve
others.”
The importance of service is clearly a universal given—
and that says something about the value of this principle.
Universal values are actually an expression of wisdom.

Current Management Thinking
Today’s management gurus also have positive things to say
about servant-leadership. Many have been infl uenced by
3
Robert Greenleaf. In his book The Fifth Discipline, Peter
Senge is quoted as saying: “In the past thirty years, no one
has had a more profound effect on Leadership thought than
Robert Greenleaf.” Warren Bennis, author of On Becoming
4
a Leader, has the opinion: “When dealing with leadership,
I believe that Greenleaf and his writings are the most origi-
nal, useful, accessible, and moral.”
Ken Blanchard, author of Leading at a Higher Level, 5
writes:

I sincerely believe that servant-leadership has
never been as applicable in the world of leader-
ship as it is today. People are looking not only for
a higher goal, for meaning and for ways to rise to
the challenges of a changing world; but also for
the principles and views that really work. Servant-
leadership works. Servant-leadership teaches you
how you can bring people to a higher level by lead-
ing them there.