“…it is worth the cost of some chaos and disruption if enough people will read the signs and start building institutions that generate a high level of trust…”
– Robert K. Greenleaf
In 2011, my job as a police department’s grant manager for a major federal policing grant included creating organizational change to help better prepare our officers for “community policing.” In studying different options in how to do this, I happened to stumble across the words “servant leadership.” I understood the concept as a moral practice with the basis of serving others. The first book I read on servant leadership (Wheeler, 2012) outlined principles of authenticity, humility, moral courage, healing, wisdom, foresight and organizational stewardship. Because these appeared to match what was needed in a policing, I sought further training and enrolled at Gonzaga University in their Organizational Leadership Program.
Initial Philosophy
When this journey started, I was nineteen years into a career in a paramilitary organization. My career leadership philosophy and practices were very much based on a command-and-control style. Those who were technically competent in job tasks were generally those who became leaders. I respected the relational aspects of leadership, but the relationship that I respected was similar to what Freire (2000) described as the “banking concept of education.” Great leaders were, at one time, great followers who took in the wisdom of their leaders. Then, in turn, those disciples became great depositors of knowledge into their own developing followers.
Current philosophy
Having experienced my own personal growth in my abilities to serve officers and my community while completing my studies as a servant leader in-training, I remain dedicated to the philosophy of Servant Leadership. During 2014 and 2015, several of us who believe in the philosophy received promotion to higher level management positions. My organization’s guiding philosophy is now driven by servant leaders in-training. Having a venue in which the philosophy can take shape is a wonderful gift. My hope is to be able to share experiences and growth with others so that the philosophy can start to gain a strong foothold in policing.
Thank you for visiting and I hope that you can become part of that journey.
–Joan
Serving For Police 