Is the Big, Bold Claim of Servant Leadership too Audacious?

"If someone said you were “overly American” would you take that as a compliment or a criticism?And if your answer is, “It depends.” Then you may either be a consultant or have the makings of a great consultant.Here’s what happened.I was in Europe and delivered several presentations on Servant Leadership for various business audiences. After my first session, I was informed that one of my comments seemed,…well, “overly American”.The commenter was too kind to say this to my face. Their comment was relayed through my liaison.What exactly does “overly American” mean? For a moment I was nervous. Actually, I was extremely nervous.You see, my visit to Europe occurred days after “Super Tuesday” and suddenly people were thinking Donald Trump’s campaign might be more than a publicity stunt.Did being “overly American” mean coming across like a Presidential candidate on the debate stage? Gosh, I hope not! After all, I was there advocating Servant Leadership. That would not be good.Yes, those highlight reels (more like lowlights) from the debates were televised around the world. And the shenanigans that were passed off as debates were topics of several conversations.My “overly American” comment was actually a quotation from one of my favorite servant-leaders, Ari Weinzweig, CEO and co-founder of Zingerman’s.[Tweet "If you really live it, Servant Leadership changes everything."]Do you see the “overly American” part of that quotation? Maybe not, especially if, like me, you’re an American.It was the “changes everything” part. Actually, it’s just the “everything”.“You don’t really mean that do you? Servant Leadership changes everything? Come on, you can’t be serious?"To be “overly American”, at least in this context, meant “to supersize everything”. (Do you mean everything?…sorry, I couldn’t resist).Perhaps they thought I had used hyperbole. The literary device used to make a point and not to be taken literally.You know the sort, “We waited forever to get a table at the restaurant.” Really? If that were true, wouldn’t you still be at the restaurant waiting?“I’m hungry enough to eat a cow.” Well, maybe not a whole cow, but a 12 ounce Flo’s Filet would be great about now.You don’t really mean Servant Leadership changes everything, do you?Actually, I do. And so does Ari.I have asked him about it before. The full statement, in context, is found on page 115 of his book, Being A Better Leader.

The phrase “Servant Leadership” may sound like one of those nice throwaways they always write in the opening section of employee manuals. But please don’t let any perception of passivity fool you — Servant Leadership is very strong stuff. If you really live it, Servant Leadership changes everything.

Yes. Servant Leadership has the power to change everything about an individual, organization, or community. The problem most people have isn’t with the claim about the transformative power of Servant Leadership. It’s in the “really living it” part.I can’t scientifically prove that Servant Leadership changes everything, but I do believe this claim is certainly more than hype or hyperbole. I believe it’s the HOPE. Perhaps, it is because of my perpetual optimism that I see the effects of Servant Leadership as being far-reaching.After all, Servant Leadership is a people-centered approach to life and leadership, that puts other people at the center. It places the needs, growth, and development of those led, ahead of those leading.It encompasses all areas and arenas of life. Servant Leadership is not confined to your conduct at the office or limited to the hours of 9 to 5. It’s 24/7 365 (366 this year).This is neither hype nor hyperbole. Servant Leadership is holistic. And, if as Ari suggests, you really live it, Servant Leadership overflows into all areas of life, it impacts all areas of life and leadership.While the following is not an exhaustive list, I thought one way to address the “everything” claim was to produce an A-Z list of things changed by Servant Leadership. Here’s my list:Attitudes, Behavior, Culture, Drive, Engagement, Followership, Goals, Hierarchy, Involvement, Joy, Kindness, Love, Mindfulness, Narcissism, Openness, Power, Quality, Relationships, Service, Trust, Unity, Value, Wellness, Xenophobia, Yearning, and Zeitgeist.With the possible exception of X and Z, I could have easily listed multiple entries for each letter. Maybe this does or doesn't resolve the claim that Servant Leadership changes everything. It's close enough for me, but hey, I'm an American.What have you seen changed by Servant Leadership in your life, company, or community?