Strategic Fund Development: Building Profitable Relationships That Last, Third Edition

Chapter 5: The Art of Leadership: A Critical Element of the First Relationship—Within Your Organization

1. Robert K. Greenleaf (1904–1990) founded the modern servant leadership movement. See his book, Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness (New York: Paulist Press, 1991).

2. John W. Gardner, On Leadership (New York: Free Press/Macmillan, 1990), xi.

3. Peter Block, Stewardship: Choosing Service over Self-Interest (San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler, 1993).

4. Daniel H. Kim, “The Leader with the ‘Beginner’s’ Mind,” Healthcare Forum Journal (July–August 1993).

5. As I reflect on Kim’s comment, I’m not so sure that leaders do or should learn faster than others. I think others in the organization might learn faster sometimes, and then lead the leader to learning. And I think leaders encourage this.

6. My colleague Wendy Zufelt-Baxter asks what is “truth” in a learning organization and with new-age leaders. “Is there just one truth?” questions Wendy. I think Kim means that leaders seek honesty. Leaders want and expect their colleagues to honestly and candidly share their insights, perspective, and questions. And, as Wendy implies, insights, perspective, and questions will differ. One person’s truth may not be the same as another person’s truth. But leaders want it all shared, honestly, with candor.

7. Refer to Chapter for more about culture. Remember, culture refers to the beliefs, values, customs, traditions, norms—the way of life—of a group of people. ...