Servant Leadership? Or Just the Leader's Personal Servant?
- Ravi
- Oct 20
- 2 min read
When I created this cartoon, I was thinking about how easily powerful, positive concepts can be twisted in the corporate world. Servant Leadership is a genuinely impactful philosophy—one where leaders focus on empowering their team, fostering growth, and removing obstacles so others can succeed.
But as the executive in my cartoon demonstrates, it can just as easily become a euphemism for "my personal assistant, glorified."
The absurdity of the scene—the trophy, the grateful (or shell-shocked) employee holding a "VACATION ITINERARY" bag, the dog Bruno waiting patiently—is designed to highlight several uncomfortable truths:
Misinterpretation vs. Manipulation: Is the executive genuinely misunderstanding Servant Leadership, or is he deliberately manipulating the concept to justify offloading personal tasks onto his team? I think it's often a bit of both, but the impact on the "servant" is the same.
The Erosion of Boundaries: This cartoon speaks to the dangerous blurring of lines between professional duties and personal favors. When a leader expects an employee to "serve" by walking their dog or booking holidays, it undermines respect and creates a culture where personal life infringes on work in unhealthy ways.
Performative Leadership: The "Servant Leader of the Year" award itself is a dig at performative leadership—where the appearance of embodying a noble principle is celebrated, regardless of whether its true spirit is being honored.
This cartoon forces us to ask: Is your organization truly fostering servant leadership (empowering others), or is it quietly celebrating personal servitude in disguise?
What's your take on "Servant Leadership" in action?
Have you ever witnessed or been part of a situation where a positive leadership philosophy was completely warped or misused?
What are the clear boundaries that truly define a servant leader from someone just offloading personal tasks?
What's the best example of genuine servant leadership you've ever seen?
Share your stories and insights in the comments below!
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