Many of the best leaders I have witnessed or experienced understand the idea of “Servant Leadership”. It is not about letting someone walk all over you or treat you disrespectfully. The idea is about caring for those around you, influencing them in a positive and fruitful direction, and providing discipleship to help redirect efforts. In this book, Steve Farber provides a framework worthy of serious consideration for intentionally leading others.
This book teaches valuable lessons through a leadership fable. The story line is fictitious and helpful in learning how to apply three principles outlined in the “Greater Than Yourself” (GTY) concept. These principles are, “Expand Yourself”, “Give Yourself”, “Replicate Yourself”. I will not due justice to these principles here, but allow me to expand just a little.
“Expand Yourself” - This is the idea that you should never stop learning and growing experientially. The concept is one that should be present in all leaders. For example, Winston Churchill was an author, artist, armature bricklayer, and a very well read man. It is critical to lead yourself in many areas so that you ensure your own growth.
“Give Yourself” - Here the idea is that you have communicated with someone that you would like to be in a partnership. Share that you have seen immense untapped potential and would like an opportunity to see if the two of you can work together to help spark growth. Often, when one is giving of themselves they will find their own growth as well.
“Replicate Yourself” - Do not mistake this as an idea where someone needs to act as a clone of you. The focus here is to “pay forward” the gift of having been a recipient of someone giving of themselves. The best gift you can give to most mentors is to be a mentor yourself. That is the expectation here, the person you are giving yourself to, will need to be committed to do the same in the future.
In gleaning from the framework of this book an additional idea is highlighted and worthy of note. The reader is encouraged act on the GTY concept before speaking publicly about its benefits. Another way to say this would be to, “walk the walk, before you talk the talk”. So often when I read something insightful or beneficial, I am tempted to think that someone else needs to absorb this lesson. The truth is that I need the lessons being taught, and when reading for my own improvement I do not need to focus on what someone else should learn. Apply the lessons to my life so that I can “walk the walk before I talk the talk”.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone, anywhere within their leadership experience. The book is engaging, entertaining, and educational. I read it in one weekend without it having a significant interference with other things needing my attention.