This morning, I read an article in T+D by Nance Guilmartin about the importance of cultivating humility in an organization’s leaders.
She poses a great question:
“What don’t I know I don’t know?”
Putting the needs of others first, and acting in support of your organization are key elements of servant leadership. That’s basic.
But there can be an arrogance there, too. You can assume that you know what is needed – because you’re the leader, and you ought to know.
This is what Peter Block refers to as a paternalistic view of leadership — “taking care” of people who “don’t know better” as opposed to a true commitment to learning what is needed.
Example: