Robert K. Greenleaf’s articulation of servant leadership is a critical component to anyone’s philosophy of leadership. The idea that a leader’s first role is to serve and that people should only be given leadership responsibility insofar as they are motivated to serve others echoes the teaching of Jesus, even if Greenleaf’s theory came from a German Existentialist novel about a trip to the Far East!

Unfortunately, this volume—Practicing Servant Leadership—is a mixed bag. Highlights include an excerpt from Greenleaf’s classic essay, “The Servant as Leader,” and Larry C. Spears’ chapter that makes Greenleaf’s philosophy operational by identifying ten characteristics. Daniel H. Kim’s chapter is also thought-provoking. He makes a compelling case for foresight as the central ethic for leadership.

Other chapters such as the interview with James A. Autry and the chapter from John C. Bogle on being “On the Right Side of History” felt painfully self-aggrandizing—ironic given the servant philosophy. The chapter I expected to be interested in the most, “Toward a Theology of Institutions,” was also lackluster. One of his premises was, “As part of God’s world, institutions are the object of God’s love” (182). From there we get, “God loves the AARP, the NAASCP, the NASA. God loves TDIndustries” (182). Really? This theological exploration could have benefited from a richer practical theological methodology.

Overall, this book has more misses than hits. Look up Robert K. Greenleaf’s article and Spears’ articulation of the theory online. If you’re interested in the rest, visit your local library.

Spears, Larry C. And Michele Lawrence, eds. Practicing Servant Leadership: Succeeding through Trust, Bravery, and Forgiveness. Jossey-Bass, 2004.