What Servant Leadership Means to Me

Errol Flynn - My First Role Model

My brother was born almost three years earlier than me. He taught me, first, how to be a follower – I wasn’t entirely sure what Barbies were, because I was too busy playing with fake swords and engineering giant Lego creations. I was convinced I was some odd combination of Robin Hood and Aragorn. When Middle Earth and the Sherwood Forest weren’t in danger, I was just the baby of the family. I remember praying that God would send me a little sister. And when I was 8 years old, he did. Two years after that, he gave me another. If any of you have little sisters, you will understand when I say that my first leadership role as a big sister was and remains my biggest responsibility.

Hello, my name is Laura Beth Askelson and I’m a senior at the University of Montevallo. I’m a double major, double minor – Political Science, History, Communication Studies, and Pre-Law. I served as an intern for the Leading Edge Institute, a leadership program for collegiate women in Alabama. We participated in advocacy, leadership action projects, and communication development seminars. For our final project, we had to discover and define our leadership philosophy.

If I were to define the words, “busy,” “overwhelmed,” or “burned out,” I could have described, in detail, my thoughts and experiences with each. But stating my leadership philosophy is something so much more than a few key phrases or buzz words. Practically, I think that leadership means something different to each person, and each person brings their own qualities to bear in reference to it.

My boyfriend of over two years
is the Spock to my Kirk

During the summer institute, we took personality tests to find out how we express ourselves. When I took the Myers-Briggs, it told me that I am likely an introverted, sensitive, feeling, and perceiving person.  Essentially, it means that, as an introvert, I can be as bubbly as any extrovert, but I draw my energy from quiet moments apart from the madness of everyday life. I am sensing, so I learn information by absorbing details and immediate realities, rather than possibilities and big pictures. I'm feeling, rather judging, so I'm the Kirk to someone else's Spock. I'm perceiving, which means that I don't like set plans, I want to keep my options open, and I'm a wonderful procrastinator. Although the Myers-Briggs did not help reveal my leadership identity, it helped me understand myself better, which I believe is an important step towards any realization of personal philosophy.

When I was challenged with actually defining leadership for myself, I was a little lost as to where to begin. Dr. Truss, one of my favorite history professors and one of the women involved with Leading Edge at my university, read the rough draft of this speech and let me borrow two of her favorite leadership books by John Maxwell to act as a further guide toward developing my leadership identity. On one of her post-it noted pages in "The Maxwell Daily Reader," I found this quote:

"If you really want to become the kind of leader that people want to follow, you will have to settle the issue of servant-hood. If your attitude is to be served rather than to serve, you may be headed for trouble. If this is an issue in your life... stop lording over people, and starting listening to them. Stop seeking your own way and start serving others... If you want to lead on the highest level, be willing to serve on the lowest"  (Maxwell, 29).

In the summer, we reviewed several common leadership philosophies; we read excerpts from leadership gurus like John Maxwell and Robert Greenleaf. I struggled through their differences and how I could adopt their principles in the development of my own leadership philosophy. Greenleaf advocated a concept called servant leadership, which means putting others' priorities beyond your own, being a leader because it will positively influence others and not just yourself. Because of my faith, servant leadership struck a strong chord with me.  As a Christian, I see Christ as the ultimate servant-leader, and as I walk through every day life, I try to follow his example. Even now, I’m not entirely sure what kind of leader I am, but I can tell you what kind of leader I aspire to be. Becoming a servant-leader is not a one-time decision, or a sudden transformation, I believe that my servant leadership will continue to be developed through my entire life time.

One of the most inspiring women in my life is my mom. She is the perfect example of a servant leader and she inspired my Leading Edge advocacy project. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education from the University of Montevallo. She later earned an Educational Specialist degree from UAB and is currently qualified to teach Pre-K through 12^th grade. I know people ask if she’s a working mother or a stay at home mother, but for her there is no difference. My older brother earned a 35 on the ACT and graduated with a 4.0 in Math at UAB. But it was my mom that taught him to read, to add and subtract. It was my mom that inspired my love of history, and it is my mom that still privately tutors a class of 20 kids and my little sisters. My advocacy project fought to ensure that Alabama certified public schools teachers will continue to be able to privately tutor their children, like my mother did for me.

The Executive Board of The University of Montevallo's Alpha Sigma Pi

For my leadership action project, I founded a chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success on Montevallo’s campus. We have over 350 members, and though it is scary to be in charge of coordinating the organization and its many events, I am proud to be involved with the organization. Rather than relying on a high GPA as a membership requirement, NSLS is a participatory honors organization, which means that members must attend a certain number of events prior to their induction into the society. This opens doors for students who have amazing leadership potential which has never been realized in any other honors organization. Although our organization is only starting, it has been a privilege to watch members grow, step up, and work towards their personal, professional, and academic goals.

When I came to Leading Edge’s summer institute, I was unprepared for its impact on me. I had wanted to be a part of Leading Edge, because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love summer camp? I had heard good things about Leading Edge’s program, I wanted my resume boosted, and it seemed like a great opportunity. But it turned out to all that and more. At the Summer Institute, I met some absolutely incredible women – in my reflection group, at the lunch table, and in the crowded bus to Montgomery. I had lunch with Alabama’s former secretary of state, powerful judges, and other dynamic women. These women had made it into the judicial and executive strongholds of government to serve as leaders.  It was an incredible honor to meet, not only them, but every person involved with the Leading Edge Institute. I think that the first step of servant leadership is appreciation for others, so let me extend my gratitude. Specifically I want to thank Ms. Myrna Pitman, Ms. Ashley Gilbert, Ms. Kelsie Overton,  Ms. Jenny Bell, Ms. Alison Black Cornelius, Ms. Shannon Ammons, Ms. Kelly Hawkins, Ms. Pres, Ms. Marie Owens, and Dr. Ruth Truss. These strong women and others, including Leading Edge Class XII, have actively influenced me into growing as a person and as a professional. Thank you for taking such a strong personal interest in me. Your investment in me means so much.

In John Maxwell's Developing the Leader within You, he leaves readers with this motivational quote:

"You will only become what you are becoming right now.
Though are you cannot go back
and make a brand new start, my friend.
Anyone can start from now
 and make a brand new end."