%% #📓 #📚 #🔴 %% **Title:** Servant-Leaders in Training: Foundations of the Philosophy of Servant-Leadership **Authors:** [[John Henry Horsman]] **Citation:** Horsman, J. H. (2018). _Servant-leaders in training: Foundations of the philosophy of servant-leadership_. Springer International Publishing. [https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92961-3](https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92961-3) --- # Abstract ~ 3 Sentence Summary Guided by and complimenting the writings of Robert K. Greenleaf, this book aims to deepen, expand and extend the philosophy of servant-leadership. Proposing a grounding framework for the studies of leadership, training and development, the author suggests that servant-leadership is primarily based on the structures of human development. Emphasizing the notion of a developing servant-consciousness and explaining the composition of a servant-leader disposition, this book analyzes the way that leadership has evolved. The characteristics of a servant-leader are categorized into five primary capacities, each with a focus on holistic listening and path-finding foresight. Servant-leaders in Training is essential reading for scholars of organizational leadership and management, and those wishing to gain a deeper understanding of servant-leader philosophy more generally. # Structure # Notes & Important Ideas ### Listening-first disposition - ["] we might "...become a natural servant through a long arduous discipline of learning to listen, a discipline sufficiently sustained that the automatic response to any problem is to listen first" (Greenleaf, 1977, p. 10). ([Horsman 2018:127](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=127)) - ["] Listening is not just about hearing sounds or understanding words, it also involves a choice to intentionally attend to what we hear and that involves learning to listen more profoundly or holistically such that our awareness is enhanced and our understanding enriched. ([Horsman 2018:128](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=128)) ### Ways of listening are on a continuum from zero listening to deep [[generative listening]]. - Categories of not listening ^piy059r - **ignoring** = not listening or dismissing what the speaker is saying - **pretending** = ignoring with the pretense of listening, not the primary focus - **controlling** = manipulating what the speaker says through non-verbal communication - Speaker might feel intimidated by an authority figure and change their message to please them - **projecting** = rejecting the speaker's intention and responding with one's own interpretation of the message - Hearing through biased filters and conveying judgement of the speaker - Finishing the speaker's statement or restating it how one thinks it should be - Responding before the statement is finished ([note on p.128](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=128)) - Another listening strategy is [[listening to interject ASAP]]. - May be effective in some situations, an emergency or urgent time-crunch - Usually results in selective listening that limits our potential for learning and displays disrespect for others. ([note on p.129](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=129)) ### [[listening-first disposition|Listening-first disposition]] assumes the other will creatively resolve their own issues and discover more of themselves. - ["] Listening-first is a way to call forth others, it is a way of listening that allows others to be creative and reveal their own voice. ([Horsman 2018:130](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=130)) - Listening-first is not just waiting your turn to interject, it's intentionally waiting for insight to emerge from the other and from within oneself. ([note on p.130](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=130)) - A listening-first disposition encourages co-creative listening that can extend to [[generative listening]] and [[generative dialogue]]. ([note on p.130](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=130)) - [n] *[[Peter Senge]]'s idea of a [[learning organization]] would seem to depend on a listening-first environment.* - ["] Learning to listen internally as well as externally involves integrating more holistic listening awareness into our servant-consciousness, and that may influence the listening quality of our collective consciousness. ([Horsman 2018:131](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=131)) ### Listening-first is not passive, it requires effort to self-monitor and choose whether to stay quiet or speak. - Deliberately attending to our own thoughts, making insightful connections and corrections as the other speaks. - Requires patience and [[humility]] ([note on p.131](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=131)) - ["] in order to listen with a serving-first capacity, one has to be humbly open to learning and being influenced by the other ([Horsman 2018:131](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=131)) - ["] A listening-first capacity involves striving for a more holistic listening awareness, respectful influence, the practice of discernment, and a preference for generative listening and generative dialog. ([Horsman 2018:132](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=132)) - Listening-first is very challenging, especially in today's fast-paced, results-oriented organizational cultures. - Involves a fundamental shift in purpose and focus of listening - Requires tolerance for diverse views and respect for the dignity of others ([note on p.132](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=132)) ### Changing the quality of our listening can change the quality of our being and identity. - When we are in harmony with ourselves, others can tell and mutual communications can gain clarity and lead to [[holistic listening]]. - Involves trusting that: - nothing will be lost or forgotten - mutual hearing and understanding is happening - insight or wisdom will emerge when the opportunity is ripe ([note on p.132](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=132)) ### Framework of [[holistic listening]] is drawn from [[Bernard Lonergan]]'s [[four transcendental imperatives]]. - Structure for understanding how intentionally attending to listening helps build capacity for more holistic listening. ([note on p.132](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=132)) - Lonergan's principles promote self-growth, authenticity, and progress for all humans. - Each level has a different focus and qualities of intentionality and consciousness. ([note on p.133](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=133)) - At the first level we are attentive, whether we realize it or not, in sensing our environment. - The second level involves making sense of the data we're collecting. - The third level of reasoning and judging is where we draw on experience and understandings to reflect and pass judgment on an experience or idea. - The decision level is where we apply our reasoned perceptions and judgements to make a decision and act on it. ([note on p.133](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=133)) #### The first two levels of coming to know are heavily dependent on listening. - First we have to be attentive to sensing and then we have to make sense of it through inquiry and reflection. ([note on p.133](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=133)) - ["] Holistic listening begins with listening to our listening ([Horsman 2018:135](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=135)) - The more attentive we are to our sensing and how we make sense of it, the more we can be aware our filtering process and influence it by suspending judgements and being more open. ([note on p.135](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=135)) #### Build listening capacity by practicing listening awareness - notice while listening when we need to refocus our attention. ([note on p.136](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=136)) - Being more holistic in our listening with others may encourage them to be more attentive and create an environment of empathetic awareness and learning. ([note on p.136](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=136)) ### Becoming a servant-leader requires developing our awareness of [[heart-consciousness]]. ### [[holistic listening|Holistic listening]] emerges from a listening-first strategy, which resides on a continuum - [[respectful listening|Respectful listening]] leads to deeper levels of [[empathetic listening]] and [[generative listening]], which assist in [[discernment]], [[generative dialog]] and [[influential persuasion]]. ([note on p.138](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=138)) - The following can emerge from generative listening: - [[generative silence]] - [[listening to listening]] - [[listening speaking]] - [[generative dialogue]] ([note on p.138](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=138)) - ["] Generative listening involves listening with our whole being, such that it seems we are connected to something larger than ourselves, and we often experience a resolving (rather than chaotic) flow of creative energy. ([Horsman 2018:139](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=139)) - ["] We may listen interiorly for what wants to speak, or what to speak, and for the right moment to speak it, or continue to remain silent—even when it feels uncomfortable. ([Horsman 2018:140](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=140)) ### When we engage in [[generative silence]] it can help the person speaking access deeper aspects within themselves. - Silence is sometimes the best way to communicate empathy, agreement or unanimity. ([note on p.140](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=140)) A generative process in which one conceptualizes words in a way where one can tell if a word doesn't feel right or doesn't accurately express the experience or isn't precise enough. When a group is listening-speaking they are in [[generative dialogue]]. ([note on p.140](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=140)) ### Generative listening and generative dialogue are processes where ideas emerge from a collective awareness and engagement with the other. - Don't know what it is until it fully emerges and we have time to examine and learn from it. ([note on p.141](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=141)) ### You know you're experiencing generative listening and generative dialogue when you're in the flow and struggling to fully articulate what you're sensing and feeling. ([note on p.141](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=141)) ### Generative listening, listening to listening, and speaking-listening are all inherently dialogic because they are all relational, co-creative, holistic and integrative. ([note on p.142](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=142)) ### One can develop the capacity for listening by learning to listen more deeply internally and externally, in progressively more integrative and holistic ways. ([note on p.142](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=142)) - ["] Authentic conversations within a group are potentially transforming, and experience affirms that the creativity that emerges from generative listening and dialog tends to generate systems thinking. ([Horsman 2018:142](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=142)) - ["] Discerning is away to practice attending to our will, our emotions, and our reason to get at a deeper more holistic awareness of what seems right for us, or a group. ([Horsman 2018:143](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=143)) ### [[discernment]] = A holistic, integrative process that involves reason, feelings, and will to understand and judge something well. Always involves making a decision between competing goods. There are three [[modes of discernment]]. ([note on p.143](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=143)) ### [[Ignatian discernment]] is a methodology for learning to attend to our interior life and integrate inner knowing with judging, making decisions and taking action. [[Ignation discernment]] = A form of [[discernment]] developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola that helps weigh the spiritual influences on our will, feelings, and reason. Ignatian exercises, including the [[Examen]], are practices that help individuals sort through their natural inclinations of will and feelings, and integrate them with reason to help make more informed decisions. ([note on p.143](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=143)) ### Discernment is most useful when one is faced with major transition or a difficult decision.- Questions of identity and purpose ([note on p.143](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=143)) ### [[modes of discernment]] = Three ways of discerning and making a choice between competing goods. Modes differentiate between the involvement of will, feelings and reasoning in making good decisions. 1. When one has a feeling of overwhelming certainty and clarity that one option is the right one, just decide.2. When one is emotionally conflicted about options, become aware of feelings of [[consolation]] and/or [[desolation]] in search of affirmation around one option.3. When there is no clear right option and not much emotional involvement, look at facts pragmatically and weigh pros and cons of each option until feeling of consolation or desolation develops to guides one in a direction. ([note on p.144](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=144)) ### [[desolation]] = Feeling of internal suffering and incongruity - lack of alignment. External cause of desolation could be time pressure or projection of someone else's emotions or control. Opposite of [[consolation]]. ([note on p.145](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=145)) ### [[consolation]] = Feeling of internal and external alignment. Opposite of [[desolation]]. ([note on p.145](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=145)) ### [[influential persuasion]] = Method of altering the perspective of others respectfully by engaging and inviting others to develop their own opinion. Does not involve manipulation or coercion. ([note on p.146](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=146)) - ["] being persuaded is something that happens when we arrive at a decision using our own intuitive sense, as opposed to having someone force an idea on us. ([Horsman 2018:146](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=146)) ### Greenleaf notes that: ([note on p.146](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=146)) ### Our instinct for rational reasoning can be a barrier to [[holistic listening]] and [[discernment]].- Assumes reason is superior to feelings, emotions, and will ([note on p.146](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=146)) ### Distinction between [[dialogue]] and [[discussion]]. [[dialogue]] = Not a [[discussion]] or debate, it assumes a free flow of thought and feelings between people. People in dialogue are both teacher and learner. Can lead to a shift in [[mental models]]. [[discussion]] = Unlike [[dialogue]], discussion is about breaking apart what others say to win a point. ([note on p.148](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=148)) ### Servant-leader's job is to model and help facilitate dialogue. Questions are a great way to stimulate dialogue. ([note on p.148](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=148)) ### A [[listening spiral]] is a metaphor and structure for healing and creative learning. [[listening spiral]] = Metaphor for [[generative listening]] and [[generative dialogue]]. An individual and collective space to practice [[holistic listening]]. Center is the heart, which radiates out with new creations, and gravitational pull draws elements back to the center. Listening spirals are always open, with multiple ways in and out. ([note on p.149](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=149)) ### Responsibility of [[holistic listening]] that stimulates [[generative listening]] and [[generative dialogue]] is shared equally by everyone in a listening spiral.- Both speaker and listener serve each other and the group. ([note on p.152](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=152)) ### There are rules inside a [[listening spiral]]. 1. While the speaker presents no one else speaks or interrupts and there is no debate. 2. No cross talk or side conversations. ([note on p.152](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=152)) ### One doesn't leave a listening spiral the same way one entered - they exit transformed or at least in a different state. ([note on p.152](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=152)) - ["] With each round, our healing and creative learning can be experienced, interpreted, and integrated at deeper and deeper levels or paradoxically more expansively. ([Horsman 2018:153](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=153)) - ["] Growing our capacity for listening is mutually creative for our self and those with whom we listen, as our listening affirms and influences others. ([Horsman 2018:153](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=153)) - ["] Morelli, M. D., & Morelli, E. A. (Eds.). (2002). The Lonergan reader. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ([Horsman 2018:154](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=154)) - ["] Pennington, B. M. (2000). True self false self: Unmasking the spirit within. New York: Crossroads Publishing ([Horsman 2018:154](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=154)) - ["] Sparough, J. M., Manney, J., & Hipskind, T. (2010). What's your decision? How to make choices with confidence and clarity: An Ignatian approach to decision making. Chicago, IL: Loyola Press. ([Horsman 2018:154](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=154)) # Connections to Other Materials - One aspect of [[holistic listening]] is listening to the wisdom in silence. In [[Silence - Sardello 2008]] Silence is described as a companion-presence that we can enter into when we cultivate the meeting point at our body's center where solitude meets with "the great Silence of Cosmic Wisdom" (p. 8). ([note on p.139](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/WSCMPC8V?page=139)) # Personal Reflection --- # Other References ## Tags