The Servant

I have been reading a book called The Servant, by James C. Hunter.
The Servant is a book on leadership (not like there aren't a million out there already) that is written in an allegorical style.

Yeah, I thought it was a strange approach too. But it really it a good way to stand back and evaluate from a third party frame of reference a topic that is constantly being touted.

The fictitious setting is rather interesting; A 'former' fortune 500 CEO turned monk hosts a leadership seminar at his monastery in Michigan for a widely varying group of leaders. A public school principal, a drill sergent, a pastor, a nurse, and a woman's college basketball coach.

The essence of leadership, as taught by 'brother' Simeon is that of leading from the Biblical perspective of Love. Yup, Jesus' style of leadership was the central focus of the seminar, but the characters didn't know this right at first.

As you can imagine the Pastor and the Drill Sergent were naturally at odds with each other in their personal styles of leadership, but it was the unique personalities of each of these characters that I believe will capture the attention of a wide base of readers.

Hunter puts his thumb on one of the most critical aspects of the nature of leaders. They lead either from their endued POWER or from the aspect of influence and authority given to them by those they lead. In other words, a leader can make you do your job as in the case of employer to employee, because he is the one who signs your paycheck, or they can lead by authority or 'influence' which is given to them by those whom the serve.

Hunter also clarifies that a servant-leader meets valid needs and not necessarily wants; it is their task as servant leader to see the difference.

If you're looking for a quick read (1 or 2 days) and a fun but intruiging look at leading the way Jesus led, you may enjoy reading The Servant by James hunter.

-John M