Control or Serve

In the 20th Century, the Industrial Age, the "Command and Control" style of leadership was employed by organizations across the country. This style was adopted from the U.S. military who used it with great success to win World War I.

We are now in the 21st Century, the Information Age. The "command and control" style doesn't work so well because globalization has speeded up the rate of change so fast that "empowerment and flexibility" are now necessary for survival.

In the 21st Century, control is not the answer. Now is the time for "Servant Leadership." What is a servant leader? It is a leader who checks his or her ego at the door and serves, empowers, and inspires people. For example, a servant leader asks employees, "What do you need to do a good job?" The servant leader provides what is needed if at all possible. The role of a servant leader is to maximize the full potential of each and every employee.

One manager serves a cup of coffee to every employee on his staff as they show up for work each day. This action is symbolic, but it sends a powerful message: I AM HERE TO SERVE YOU!

Solution: Within a week, come up with a symbolic way to serve your people.


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