6. Responding to Misconceptions and Objections to Servant Leadership

In addition to understanding servant leadership through research-based model building we also seek to understand servant leadership better by addressing objections and misconceptions that come from those who challenge the validity or usefulness of the concept. This chapter considers the most common misconceptions and objections that some have about servant leadership as a viable understanding and practice of leadership; misconceptions such as servant leadership has a problematic name, is opposed to the use of power, is situationally limited, is too long-term-oriented, too religious, too utopian, and is, or appears to be, a weak form of leadership. Misconceptions are met head-on with explanations that seek to address a clearer understanding of what servant leadership is while the dark side of servant leadership is honestly explored.