A few years back, I was visiting a school and saw essays written by students on the topic “ Tree” in the bulletin board.

 

Most of the essays spoke of the benefits of tree, how a tree serves .

That topic set me thinking. I wondered whether a man can really be a tree. Not move, stay rooted, yet accomplish its own growth, its service to others and its propogation of its legacy.

 

I kept thinking on how a tree does it and few things stood out for me:

 

• It intends and receives GRACE without self doubt. 

• It is wise to drop its fruits when ripe. 

• It doesn’texpect to be watered, or manured, it knows there is sufficient for all.

• It is rooted too deep within its source to be swayed by external assaults

• It serves its breath, shade, wood, fruits , leaves without judgment

• It has the foresight and stewardship to produce the best from available resources

• Though stationed at one place, it intends and commands seeding and dispersal of its seeds far and wide

• It has wide web of connectedness ; listens deeply to the wind and soil and is deeply aware of itself and its surroundings

• It has withstood years of change and still stands tall

• It is wise to conserve its energy during rough weather.

 

Much later, When I heard about Servant Leadership, a term coined by Robert Greenleaf and very popular in Agile Coaching in Software Projects, I had an ‘Aha’ moment. I could deeply connect with a Tree as a servant Leader.

 

Robert Greenleaf coined the term Servant Leadership.

The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Thenconscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first…

 

The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?"

 

Inspired by this connection, I started imbibing servant leadership. As a Coach, I Coach with a servants heart. It was a resonance when I got the opportunity to coach Social Change Makers.

Social Change Makers themselves are Servant Leaders and as a Servant coach at heart, I focus on coaching the partner I am serving, to become wiser, healthier, freer, more autonomous and more likely to become servant.

 

Focus is to move from Success (Self-Serving) to Significance (Service); that You can make a difference in People’s Life.

 

…the servant views any problems in the world as in here , not out there. And if a flaw in the world is to be remedied, to the servant the process of change starts in here, not out there.

 

I listen deeply

 

I strive to understand and empathize with others. I accept and recognize others for their unique spirits; and  assume others have good intentions, even if they disagree with behavior or performance.

 

I heal others as well as myself. I look for holistic healthfor myself and my clients (Emotional/Physical/Spiritual); and I have realized that intention is enough to heal.

 

Servant leaders exhibit a keen sense of self-awareness and an understanding of issues involving ethics and values. Servant leaders are often described as disturbers and awakeners. 

Awareness is not a giver of solace--- it is just the opposite. It is disturber and an awakener. Able leaders are usually sharply awake and reasonably disturbed and vulnerable; much like a tree which does not hesitate to shed its leaves and bow to the storm to spring back when the weather is right.

 

A deep caring; You will not fail, It is my job to support you and make sure I do everything possible to help you succeed , puts me and my partners on the path of wholeness and joy.

 

Outcome is futuristic, When you think of the outcome, you have drifted from the Present.

If you think you are the doer, you get attached to the task. Your presence gets limited and you act from the awareness of a limited personhood 

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As a Leader and a coach with a servants heart, I 

• Come together to create possibility

• Grow strong Bonds

• Encourage detachment from outcome

• Advocate that I am not the doer

• Encourage surrender to the service/ non Egoic

• Encourage Self Reflection/Search for Wholeness

• Encourage asking for help 

• Bring Awareness/Stay alert/Challenge

• Encourage Dealing with Fear/Dilemma

• Use Mission as a motivator and stress reliever

• Focus on Service minded decisions

• Advocate and Practice admitting to mistakes and asking forgiveness

 

As a servant leader I am alert and watchful of the seed I am planting.