38 Quotes by Robert K. Greenleaf

The best leaders are clear. They continually light the way, and in the process, let each person know that what they do makes a difference. The best test as a leader is: Do those served grow as persons; do they become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become leaders?

The servant-leader is servant first... It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first...

Servant leadership always empathizes, always accepts the person, but sometimes refuses to accept some of the person’s effort or performance as good enough.

A Leader is one who ventures and takes the risks of going out ahead to show the way and whom others follow, voluntarily, because they are persuaded that the leader’s path is the right one-for them, probably better than they could devise for themselves.

Listening, coupled with regular periods of reflection, are essential to the growth of the servant-leader.

Don’t assume, because you are intelligent, able, and well-motivated, that you are open to communication, that you know how to listen.

The servant-leader is servant first, it begins with a natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first, as opposed to, wanting power, influence, fame, or wealth.

The most serious failure of leadership is the failure to foresee.

I hold that hope, thus defined, is absolutely essential to both sanity and wholeness of life.