The servant: summary of a book
To lead, you must serve. This is the solid
premise of the book “The Servant” by James C. Hunter.
It is discussed through the story of John Daily, a
business executive who begins to lose control as boss,
husband, father and coach. He was persuaded to go
on a week-long retreat in a Benedictine monastery to refocus and find balance. During the retreat, a
Former Wall Street legend turned into monk shows
him a different perspective on leadership – servant leadership.
The ten attributes of love and leadership
The book listed the following as the qualities of
a leader in service. By the way, these are also the
attributes of love, previously defined as one’s behavior towards others.
1. Patient: shows self-control.
2. Kind: pay attention, appreciation and
cheer up.
3. Humble: be authentic without pretense or
arrogance.
4. Respectful: treat others as important people.
5. Selfless: meeting the needs of others.
6. Forgive: give up resentment when it hurts.
7. Honest: be free from deception.
8. Committed: stick with your choices.
All of these behaviors will force you to serve and
sacrifice for others. This would mean putting aside
their own wants and needs are focused on the legitimate
needs of others.
You must realize that success doesn’t just come
of hard work and of playing the role properly.
To be successful in business and in your career,
must be distinguishable from the rest
of the herd: you need to develop, build and defend
your reputation.
The Law of the Harvest
Remember: you reap what you sow. By authority or
influence to flourish, the right environment should be
loving behavior should always be present. In
a garden, the earth, the sun, the water, the compost,
and the care provided by the gardener make up the
environment in which the plant will grow and mature.
However, the only thing he is not sure of is
when the flowers will really bloom. Consider
that influence is not a magic bean stalk that
sprout overnight; rather, it is
something that grows over time.
The rewards of leading with authority
Leading with authority allows you to have a
mission statement: serve the people you lead,
listen to their needs, give them praise and recognition,
show kindness and be honest, among other things.
When servant leadership becomes your spirit in life,
people would queue up to join your cause.
By serving others and loving your neighbors, you are
stay in line with the doctrines of the Church as
as well as other religions. Psychologically mature
and spiritually, which is essentially the ultimate goal of
the individual’s journey through life.
While the above rewards are very good, most
Everyone’s major reward is the joy you will experience.
when you put others first and free yourself from
chains of self-centeredness. As one Dr. Albert
Schweitzer puts it wisely: “I don’t know what your
fate will be, but one thing I do know. The only ones
among you who will be really happy are those who will
I have searched and found how to serve. “
About the Author:
James Hunter is the author of the international magazine
best-selling book The Servant, subtitled A Simple Story
About the true essence of leadership. Now translated
in nine (9) languages, The Servant teaches time
minus servant leadership principles and is the text
used in many MBAs and other higher education curricula
worldwide.