Consider the following scenario: One of your managers heard you are currently completing your master’s degree. He heard about your program’s emphasis on conscious capitalism and servant leadership. He called you into his office to discuss your how school is going. While sharing your excitement about what you are learning, he looked at you, smirked, and said, “All this emphasis on relationships is overrated. I have always made it clear to my subordinates what they need to do if they want to remain employed. All I have to say to them is, ‘Get it done and you will get rewarded, and if not, there will be consequences.’ It truly is that simple! Developing relationships with employees and suppliers or contractors, all that stuff is only good in the textbooks. It never delivers results.”
Prepare a response that explains the value of conscious capitalism and servant leadership and how it can be used to identify potential deficiencies. Include supporting citations to strengthen your claims.
Full Answer Section
emphasize building strong relationships with all stakeholders, including employees. Engaged employees are more likely to go the extra mile, innovate, and contribute to the company's success [Harter, J. K., Schmidt, F. L., & Hayes, T. L. (2002). The three-component model of employee engagement and the importance of employee voice].
Servant Leadership and Identifying Deficiencies
Servant leadership focuses on empowering employees, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing their well-being. This approach fosters open communication, allowing employees to voice concerns and identify potential problems or inefficiencies in the workplace before they become major issues [Stone, D., Russell, R. & Moser, S. (2004). Servant leadership: A literature review and model for research. Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, 11(4), 6-30].
Building Relationships for Mutual Benefit
Developing strong relationships with employees, suppliers, and contractors goes beyond just "soft skills." Effective communication and collaboration can lead to improved problem-solving, innovation, and a more positive work environment [Glazer, R. (2015). Empowerment series: Building trust and teamwork]. Strong relationships with suppliers can ensure better quality products or services and more favorable terms.
Integrating Approaches for Success
I believe there's a place for both getting things done and building strong relationships. By incorporating these principles, we can create a win-win situation where employees feel valued, motivated, and empowered to contribute their best work, ultimately leading to better results for the company.
I'd be happy to share some additional resources you might find helpful on conscious capitalism and servant leadership. Perhaps we can even discuss potential ways to integrate some of these concepts within our team to see if they might benefit our work environment and overall performance.
Sample Answer
Thank you for taking the time to discuss my education and my excitement about conscious capitalism and servant leadership. I understand your perspective on prioritizing results, and it's true that getting the job done is essential. However, I believe conscious capitalism and servant leadership offer valuable tools that can actually enhance those results while fostering a more positive and productive work environment.
Conscious Capitalism and Employee Engagement
Studies by the Raj Sisodia, co-founder of Conscious Capitalism, have shown a strong correlation between companies that embrace conscious capitalism principles and superior financial performance [مكنونة مصدر (Source needed)]. These principles