Service Reflection - Essay Example

HERE HERE YOUR HERE HERE Service Reflection Being a leader with a servant attitude involves understanding what others feel, think and imagine in order to build empathy for their situation. In the secular world, leaders are often defined by their ability to manage others effectively and create policies that assist in helping others develop their own strengths. Servant leadership, when referencing religious doctrine, involves being compassionate regardless of how difficult it is to show patience and tolerance.

When thinking back on situations in personal life that involved servant leadership, one situation stands out more than any other. I once worked at an after school child program where it was my responsibility to help children with their homework. Being a person without very good English skills, I was worried that the children would not understand what was being said, so I was only able to help with mathematics. Mathematics is a universal language so I thought this would make up for my lack of English-speaking skills.

It was my responsibility in this role to help children achieve their greatest successes, even when the children were difficult and hard to manage. This is part of Jesus’ teaching on servant leadership: To do unto others as one would have done unto yourself. I tried to remember this when working with small children, as they need a person who is willing to provide patience and understanding even when they are naughty. By not immediately responding to my own attitudes and concerns about my own weaknesses in English teaching skills, I realized that the children had many positive qualities that would help me reach them better.

If I had not drawn on these teachings provided by the Holy Bible, I would not have been able to drop my own fears about insecurity. This is why I am thankful for having servant leadership qualities that were given to me by faith and conviction. When working with the children, I realized that they had many needs. Some of these needs were emotional and others were to have help in order to give them better academic successes. Only a good leader that understands the servant leadership beliefs of religion would be able to reject their own needs in order to provide a better learning experience for the small children.

When working with one specific child named Patrick, who was very difficult to teach because of his behavior and attitudes, I realized that the many lessons inspired by Jesus Christ would help me to reach him better. I suddenly realized during the experience that this child needed someone who would be tolerant and understanding if he was to be interested in learning mathematics. By putting myself into his shoes, I learned that the teaching and learning processes could be fun and exciting. The social connections created between myself and Patrick were formed by trusting in one another and with me being mature enough to put aside my own needs in favor of the child’s.

By being calm and recognizing that Patrick had many more needs that were called for, I was able to be a better teacher and found a friend who even today is excited about playing together and learning new things. I am so glad I understood servant leadership as required by God so that our relationship could become so rewarding. Servant leaders must listen to everyone! (Krejcir 1). Works CitedKrejcir, Richard J. The Character of Servant Leadership. The Francis R. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership. 2000. Web.

January 30, 2013.