Robert K. Greenleaf a leadership crisis and that I should do what I could about it.” In 1970 Greenleaf published his first essay, entitled "The Servant As Leader", which introduced the term "servant leadership." Later, the essay was expanded into a book, which is perhaps one of the most influential management texts yet written. The Servant Leadership movement was born. Of his philosophy, Robert Greenleaf wrote in "Essentials", "The servant-leader is servant first... Becoming a servant-leader begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different
Robert K. Greenleaf trusted as servants. To the extent that this principle prevails in the future, the only truly viable institutions will be those that are predominantly servant led" [italics original] Greenleaf (2002) felt strongly that his “best test” should apply to all of our institutions. His “best test,” which he knew would be hard to grade, is stated: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served [italics original], become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And [italics original], what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least