Analyze your Volunteer experience by writing a 1,000-1,250-word reflection in which you examine how volunteering enabled you to practice the principles of servant leadership.

Leadership experience. | Nursing homework help

Reflection on the Volunteer Experience: Applying Servant Leader Principles

In my volunteer experience at a homeless shelter in the locality, I had the opportunity to put into practice servant leadership principles. The experience I had allowed me to learn the value of service and the impact it has on communities.

My community has a homelessness shelter where I was able to volunteer. Shelters provide temporary shelter, food and other essentials to those who are homeless. As a volunteer, my role was to assist with the preparation of meals, their serving and cleaning up. Every Saturday, I spent three hours volunteering.

Listening was one of the key servant leadership principles I learned and implemented during this experience. Greenleaf (1977), a book by Greenleaf, stressed the importance to listen and understand the concerns and needs of others. In my work at the homeless shelter, I tried to hear the stories of those I served. Listening helped me understand the needs of those I served and made me more empathic. As an example, listening to a woman on the street who suffered from mental illness gave me a better understanding of her difficult situation. I developed a greater sense of empathy and compassion through this experience.

Empathy was another principle I discovered during my experience. Greenleaf (1997) stressed the importance to be able understand others’ feelings and emotions. Volunteering, I did my best to learn about the problems that homeless individuals face. As an example, I was able to empathize with a man whom I assisted after he lost his job, then his house. It was through this experience that I realized the importance of empathizing with others, and especially those who are trying to help them.

Serving others in leadership positions, I saw the impact and potential of positive change on my community. Serving as a leader gives you the chance to help those who are in need. I learned from my service that community is important and we should work together in order to rebuild society. Volunteering at the homeless center, for example, allowed me to do my part in restoring dignity.

Through my experience in service, I discovered a lot of things about my own leadership abilities and style. It became clear that my natural tendency is towards the principles of servant leadership. When I could connect to people and truly understand their needs, I became most effective. It is also important to set an example, and to be prepared to do the dirty work even if it’s challenging.

In the future, I will use servant leadership principles in every aspect of my life. My goal is to become more empathic towards my employees, pay attention to their needs, and serve them. In addition, within the organizations I’m involved in, I encourage the culture of service, and strive to improve the lives of those around me. In my own life, I’ll continue to be a volunteer and have a positive influence on my local community. Through servant leadership principles, I aim to make the world a better place for everyone.

I would like to conclude that my experience as a volunteer at the shelter for the homeless allowed me the opportunity to put into practice the principles and practices of servant leadership. By listening to and empathizing with the people that I helped, I better understood their needs. In serving others, i realized that I could have a positive impact and change on the community. My leadership abilities and styles were revealed and I was taught how to apply them. Finaly, I will use the lessons I have learned to create a positive change in my personal and professional life.