The Understanding and Practice of Servant-Leadership

Why Aspiring Leaders Choose to Lead Historically Black Colleges and Universities

“…This aspiring leader’s thoughts exemplify Spears’ ( 2005 ) notion of having a “commitment to the growth of people,” which is central to a servant leadership mentality. Likewise, another aspiring leader shared: I'm a two-time graduate of HBCUs and so a lot of who I am as a person was cultivated at an HBCU, and for that I will add, I learned a lot about myself, I learned a lot about just being a Black person….…”

“…I understand the need. I understand the unique needs, let me just say, the unique needs of the MSI institution.” Feeling called to duty and having an urge to serve as a leader are central tenants of servant leadership as described by both Greenleaf ( 1970 ) and Spears ( 2005 ).…”

“…HBCUs help to protect and develop Black culture (Palmer & Gasman, 2008 ). The call to serve (Greenleaf, 1970 ; Spears, 2005 ) was apparent for aspiring leaders because the direct experience of being a "product" of an HBCU was inherently a part of their upbringing. This was the case for the aspiring leader who told us: “I'm drawn to HBCUs.…”

“…For this aspiring leader, self-awareness is key to their development as a servant leader (Spears, 2005 ).…”

“…Spears ( 2005 ) also provide ten characteristics of servant leaders based on the Greenleaf model. These characteristics include empathy, foresight, healing, conceptualization, listening, self-awareness, commitment to the growth of people, persuasion, building community, and stewardship.…”