Who Really Invented Servant Leadership?

Authors

Essraa Nawar, Chapman UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-22-2025

Abstract

"That program gave me tools and vocabulary I still carry today—frameworks like transformational leadership, emotional intelligence, and ethical decision-making. But one concept stood out to me more than any other: servant leadership.

Robert Greenleaf’s idea that a great leader begins as a servant—putting others’ needs first, listening deeply, and nurturing the growth of others—felt less like something I was learning, and more like something I was remembering.

Because I had seen it before. Not in business school. Not in theory. But in faith, family, and the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ."

Comments

This article was originally published on LinkedIn in 2025.

Copyright

The author

Recommended Citation

Nawar, E., (2025, May 22). Who really invented servant leadership? https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/who-really-invented-servant-leadership-essraa-nawar-mba-ma-mlis-eezlc