Envision how you could apply servant leadership in practice as a public health professional
or as a mentor. Provide an example to illustrate your ideas. Include discussion of how
motivating individual excellence, fulfillment, and the development of others can create
power. In replies to peers, provide feedback on the ideas and examples provided by
discussing how the examples of servant leadership fit in the public health arena.
Servant Leadership in Practice
A nurse could serve as a leader in public health. There are different kinds of leaders in
addition to the health nurse. A servant leader requires recognition while practicing public health.
The nurses in public health are also regarded as servant leaders, but it depends on their
philosophy in leadership. According to Porche (2004), servant leaders are people who emerge
leaders out of their passion for serving members of the public efficiently. Servant leaders regard
themselves as equal to others, understand everyday details of leadership, and apply power
honestly. Therefore, a nurse qualifies to become a servant leader when he or she improves
problem-solving, enhance teamwork instead of their own decision making, involve others, and
listen to others.
The initial role of a leader is to describe reality while the last is to give thanks. The leader
is considered a servant in between. My friend was battling cancer and had lately spent a month in
the health facility for chemotherapy. Fortunately, he has been discharged and seems to be doing
great. He was very grateful for the nursing care that he received during our conversation about
the nursing care received. The incredible leadership offered by the nurse manager was more
remarkable. My friend has held leadership roles outside health-care and nearly his whole
working life.
My friend told me of the excitement, observing the nurse leader associating with staff.
Ideally, the nurse epitomized servant leadership. His comments were not a surprise to me
because I have known the nurse manager for quite some time. The most exciting thing is the fact
that the servant leadership was noticeable even to the very sick people. Motivational excellence
is demonstrated through the philosophy that guided the nurse manager practice. Fulfillment was
evident from the fact that the nurse was caring and built trust since other staff believed that the
nurse genuinely cared for their welfare. Servant leadership improved the development of others,
creating power because of the high level of employee commitment.
References
Porche, D. (2004). Public & community health nursing practice. Sage Publications.