Understanding the importance of melding personal leadership and the tenets of servant leadership principles can help lead to success as a public health professional and leader. There are many approaches to being a good leader but being able to adapt to any given situation and group of team members can lead to being a successful leader (Mind Tools, n.d.). After taking the Leadership Style quiz, I have learned that I lean toward a democratic or participative style of leadership (Mind Tools, n.d.). This style of leadership actively involves team members while setting parameters, but having a final say in the work (Mind Tools, n.d.).
Servant leadership is a form of democratic leadership in many ways (Yahaya, Osman, Mohammed, Gibrilla, & Issah, 2014). Servant leaders are those who leads by meeting the needs of the team (Yahaya, et al., 2014). By using both the democratic or participative leadership style and the tenets of servant leadership the whole team is involved in the decision making (Yahaya, et al., 2014). This is important in moving ahead in a time where values are increasingly important and where leaders are successful based on their values and ideals (Yahaya, et al., 2014). Suggestions for melding the two leadership styles together include listening to team members and building a since of community within your team. By taking the time to listen and be open minded when working with team members new ideas could be developed helping the team achieve success. Inviting the team to contribute to the decision-making process develops a since of community (Yahaya, et al., 2014). Job satisfaction can be increased and can assist in the development of people skills and the feeling of controlling their own destiny (Yahaya, et al., 2014).
References
Mind Tools. (n.d.). What’s Your Leadership Style? Retrieved from
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_01.htm
Yahaya, A., Osman, I., Mohammed, A. B. F., Gibrilla, I., & Issah, E. (2014). Assessing the effects of
leadership styles on staff productivity in tamale polytechnic, Ghana. International Journal of
Economics, Commerce and Management, 1-23.