Transcript An Investigation of Student Leadership:

“Am I my brother’s
keeper?”:
Servant Leadership through community
building
Ian Knott-Craig
Department of Education, Rhodes University (SOUTH AFRICA)
EMASA 2011 – CAPE TOWN
Overview
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Literature Overview
Context
Findings
Sustainability
Conclusion
“People are the heart and spirit of all that counts.
(Max DePree)
“Leadership is a process of influence. Anytime you
seek to influence the thinking, behaviour or
development of people towards accomplishing
a goal you are taking the role of leadership.”
(Ken Blanchard)
“Leadership is about people and the intimate,
intricate relationships between them.”
(Chuck Ferguson)
“No one is a leader without someone to follow.”
(Ken Blanchard)
BOSS FROM HELL
Overworked
Paradigm Shift
Greenleaf
Servant Leadership
• “One who wants to serve first”;
• “It begins with the natural feeling that one wants
to serve, to serve first”…;
• …“then conscious choice brings one to aspire to
lead”;
• “The difference manifests itself in the care taken
by the servant - first to make sure that other
people’s highest priority needs are being served”.
(Greenleaf, 1970)
Context of the study
• Alternative leadership
methods
• Collaborative community
• Social formation
• Preparation of students
Methodology
• Transformative Paradigm
– Action Research
• Qualitative in nature
• Multi-method approach
– Interviews
– Report Documents
– Observation
– Focus Groups
Findings
Development of Moral Dialogue
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Reflection of current approach
Willingness to challenge
Exercise of moral power
Stronger relationships
Responsible approach
Findings
Community Building
• Empowerment to build
• Collective development of a
vision and values
• Created a caring and supportive
environment
• Development of self-worth
Findings
Emergence of Servant Leadership
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Awareness of responsibility
Collective involvement
Moral responsibility
Social obligation
College
Housemaster
Head of House
Deputy Head of House
Implementation of Model
Grade 9
Grade 8
Mentoring
Grade 10
FORUM
Mentors
Workgroups/PODS
Grade 11
Workgroups/PODS
Workgroups/PODS
Mentoring
Monitors/Mentors
Workgroups/PODS
FUNCTIONAL GROUPS
Grade 12
Sustainability
“Wheel of change”
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Challenge mindsets
Recognise new ideas
Develop new goals
Good communication
Everyone is valued
Conclusion
“The fruit of great servant
leadership is realised when a
leader seeks to send the next
generation of leaders to meet
the challenges of their season
with all the wisdom, knowledge,
and spiritual resources he or she
can provide.”
(Ken Blanchard, 2005)
Thank you for your attention!
Are there any questions?