Published: March 27, 2007 04:40 pm      

MCDONALD: Rise above the politics as servant leaders

“Act that your principle of action might safely be made a law for the whole world.”

— Immanuel Kant

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Given the challenges faced by the succeeding generations of students, it is a categorical imperative that we as parents, educators, public servants and the community as a whole take on the role of servant leaders.

Placing the needs of those we lead ahead of organizational objectives (companies, schools, cities) and focusing on developing the followers (students, employees, citizens) into empowered leaders to meet objectives are a challenge that should be embraced.

Last week before my students left for spring break, I took a poll of what their activities were going to be during their week away from school. The results encouraged me.

Just a few years ago, most of the seniors were headed to warm climates for a week of fun in the sun. This year, that trend turned around by nearly 180 degrees. Many of the students were going on faith-based mission trips. Some in rural Kentucky, some to help people in a community in northern Indiana, and still others out of the country to Guatemala., but all to serve others.

This was an encouraging sign when just a couple of weeks ago a study was released that named this generation as the most narcissistic in years. The timing is uncanny, but I hope that this will become a trend. I am so proud of my students who have chosen to spend their time in the service of others. They will return with something much deeper and less harmful than a tan.

I am so proud of the choice that they have made to perform service during their free time. I look forward to speaking with them next week and hearing of their adventures and the benefits for those they served and for themselves.

A few years ago Norman Bowie, professor of business ethics at the London School of Business, tackled the subject of whether those individuals rooted in law (rules of morality) could in fact become a servant leader. His discourse embodies many pages which are too weighty for this column; however the idea is one that is intriguing as we enter mayoral and council elections and the search for a new school superintendent.

Politics, whether the politicians want to acknowledge it or not, has been Machiavellian in terms of motive and actions. Political office is often sought for purpose of power. Political office is kept to continue wielding power and personal agendas using the followers (communities, students, civil servants) as a means to an end.

I submit that school boards, governments, and city officials can become servant leaders. It really is a matter of changing focus from using followers to achieve organizational objectives to serving followers to become leaders empowered to achieve organizational objectives.

Don’t become a business executive, city official, or school board member because it may advance your own career, do it to serve others with a sense of encouragement, morality and humility. Debate the issues professionally and maturely and remember that you are serving others and not serving for glory or resume enhancement.

Immanuel Kant also said “What can I know? What can I do? What can I hope?”

It is a categorical imperative that our school boards, city leaders and business leaders stretch for the best for our communities. For the local search for a school superintendent, find the best talent anywhere to advance Kant’s questions among students. Use Kant’s philosophical grounding in morality and ethics but use the example of a higher authority to become servant leaders.

In this holiest of seasons in the Christian calendar, use the example of Jesus Christ. The first will be last, and the last will be first.

Tim McDonald is a local educator and doctoral student. He may be reached at timothy.mcdonald@agsfaculty.indwes.edu