Servant Leadership in Action

Chapter 13The Servant Leader’s Focus

JAMES FERRELL

I’ve never met James Ferrell, but I’ve admired Arbinger Institute from a distance—and their books up close. I think when you read James’s essay, you’ll realize why I was excited to have him participate in this book—and why I’m thinking of giving a copy of the book to my garbage man! —KB

I DISLIKE THE word “service.”

There, I said it. And I believe it needs to be said in a book about servant leadership. As odd as it might sound, I believe that a focus on service is incompatible with servant leadership. True servant leaders don’t focus on service; they focus on something else entirely. In this chapter, I will explore the kind of nonservice focus that forms the foundation of servant leadership. ...