This article by Bruce E. Brown of Proactive Coaching, excerpted from his books "Teaching Character Through Sport" and "The Seven Essentials of Great Teams," describes the qualities of the servant leader: serving first, self-confidence, self-discipline, selflessness, and being a positive role model. It also explores how servant leadership enables athletes to accept and embrace roles within a team, building team identity and confidence. It is from the Leadership Proactive Coaching collection.
Introduction
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but this I know: The only ones among you who will be truly happy are those who will have sought and found, how to serve." – Albert Schweitzer
The best of leaders are the first to serve, putting others before themselves. The servant leader is the one who is the first to volunteer to help, never too proud to do work, even the difficult or unpopular jobs in order for the team to succeed. Those jobs are often done without anyone knowing because there is no complaining or comparing. The servant leader is reliably and consistently a servant for the others.