bmanmeditatingThe most effective leaders that I’ve observed, worked for, mentored and studied all have one thing in common.  They have a deep regard for the impact of their role on others and they treat this responsibility like a precious gift, holding it in trust and preparing to pass it along to the next generation.

These leaders view their profession as a calling, not a job.  They view themselves as teachers and mentors and coaches and they practice these disciplines relentlessly.

Alternatively, those individuals that I’ve observed struggling in their roles tend to focus on the transactional components of daily business while preoccupying on the trappings of leadership, including false perceptions of power and prestige.

These less effective and less satisfied leaders have yet to accept their role as something greater than a job with a title, a salary and maybe an office with a door. Often, these are the leaders that we don’t hear from in the form of feedback, or if we do, it is destructive and critical instead of constructive and developmental.

Are Servant Leaders Weak Leaders?

While some might bristle or take issue with the characterization of leadership as a calling, viewing this description as representing a style as soft or weak, I vehemently disagree.

Some of the best servant leaders that I know set expectations high and are consistently rewarded with performance that exceeds those expectations.  They’ve nailed the leadership challenges all the way from talent selection and development to the effective use of feedback, coaching and mentoring.

Part and parcel of getting the elements of leading right includes dealing fairly with poor performers, reinforcing consistent application of core values and making timely, tough decisions every single day.  No weak leaders here.

Depending upon your circumstances while you are reading this…current leader or aspiring leader, know that you have a choice to make every day that you walk in the door.  You can model your behavior and performance after one that views the honor of leading as a calling, or you can ignore this deeper issue around leading to your own disadvantage.

Make the right choice.  You’ve got lives to positively impact and organizations to grow.