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Servant Leadership through the Lens of Martin Luther King Jr.

Section One

Within the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, Martin Luther King Jr. is among the

famous servant leaders whose contributions brought about social change that saw a change in

policies and laws that lead to the betterment of the lives of the blacks in the U.S.A. Growing up,

Martin Luther King was raised in a household that placed a strong emphasis on education and

community service. After completing his PhD studies, he took the pastorate of Alabama's

Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. By attending to the congregation in this church, the place

became his starting point as a servant leader that would later engage with the larger community

of the blacks, such as leading the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott. This event catapulted him to

the national spotlight. King was deemed by the city's more senior ministers to be the most

suitable person to spearhead the emerging Civil Rights movement.

Martin Luther King Jr. persisted in advocating for reforms throughout this time, resulting

in the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The societal issues that black Americans faced

started to get better as laws like this one were established. Changes had to be made by

government representatives in order to reflect the public's growing perspective on these matters.

All racial equality was upheld by these laws and policies, which also forbade discrimination of

any kind. In addition, they sought to ensure that Black Americans would have equal access to

voting rights, equitable housing policies, school desegregation, and equal compensation for

White and Black employees in comparable jobs.

The Civil Rights Movement saw a significant turning point when Martin Luther King Jr.

gave his "I Have a Dream" speech on August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington,
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D.C. King demanded in his address that Blacks and Whites live peacefully as citizens of a one

country, not as divided and hateful groups, and that they be treated equally. He states, "I have a

dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by

the colour of their skin but by the content of their character." He argued that not just Black

Americans but everyone in the nation should be treated fairly. His statement set off a wave of

protests across the country that ultimately resulted in the largest-ever national conversation on

racial relations between white Americans and Black Americans. President Johnson's signing of

the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which made discrimination in public and working settings illegal,

marked a shift in the legal framework governing racial interactions. Finally, the efforts that King

had made had started to bear fruits.

Section Two

One quality of servant leaders is that they are skilled communicators. This quality is

evident in King, especially through his speech, where he eloquently expresses himself in a

manner that serve to pursued the authority. He says, "There will be neither rest nor tranquillity in

America until the coloured citizen is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will

continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges." This

phrase demonstrates his rationale for calling an end to racial hostility. He felt that without the

assistance of white Americans, Black Americans were unable to achieve liberty and equal

treatment in the United States. Speaking and communicating effectively on behalf of those who

held similar thoughts and perspectives sparked national and worldwide change through

passionate, nonviolent protest. This concept was crucial in transforming how people saw one

another for many decades to come. However, King's service extended beyond rhetoric, as he
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actively participated in protests, organized boycotts, and mobilized communities to effect social

change.

Servant leaders are known for prioritizing to solve and putting the needs of the people

they serve first. In this regard, it can be seen that at the core of King leadership style was a

commitment to serving others. A servant leader is committed to the development and

advancement of others, in contrast to a more authoritarian leader who is more focused on

upholding their own status and position of authority. From the moment he be became a church

minister in Montgomery, it could be posited that he viewed himself as a servant to his

community, and it is in this manner he was able to dedicate his life to addressing the injustices

faced by African Americans. Through his speeches and actions, he conveyed a genuine concern

for the well-being of others, fostering a sense of solidarity within the civil rights movement. His

ability to empathize with the experiences of others strengthened his leadership style and inspired

countless individuals to join the fight for equality through the Civil Rights movement.

Another distinguishing quality of servant leaders being reflected by King is their

capability to compassionately collaborate with others. To start with, King demonstrated a deep

empathy and compassion for the blacks who suffered under segregation and discrimination,

especially in the Southern states. A distinctive characteristic of servant leaders is their

willingness to listen to the concerns and perspectives of others. King exemplified this principle

by actively engaging with members of the community, religious leaders, and political figures. By

1960, the Civil Rights Movement had taken on significant national momentum, and it had an

impact even on young African-American college students. Black college students began acting to

oppose segregation in public spaces, such as restaurants that were exclusive to White patrons, by

using nonviolent civil disobedience as a method to demand the attention of the authorities. The
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black students thought that if they just sat there without responding violently, the white

supremacists would eventually see the blacks' actions as righteous, and they would gain attention

for the righteousness of their cause, even though the white patrons would still threaten and taunt

the protestors. Over two thousand African American students had been detained by September

1960's end. Despite this, the students' sacrifice had paid off, as Martin Luther King Jr. joined the

students in their quest for a better plan. He recognized the importance of understanding the root

causes of injustice and sought to address them through dialogue and collaboration. King's

capacity to listen and empathize with diverse viewpoints enabled him to build coalitions and

garner support for the civil rights movement.

Section Three

As a servant leader, and also by learning from Martin Luther King Jr. among the qualities

that the individual could seek to emulate is the capacity to empower and build collaboration with

other. It occurs that the aim of this leadership style is to make an impact and even social change

rather than seeking glory, as it is with the authoritative leadership style. The individual ca never

make a significant impact alone but y working with others. By collaborating even with students

to protests against segregation, King believed in empowering others to become agents of change

in their own right. Through his speech, it is clear that he encouraged ordinary citizens to

participate in nonviolent protests, and community organizing efforts. By empowering individuals

to take ownership of the struggle for civil rights, he fostered a sense of collective responsibility

and solidarity. Therefore, as an individual who is in a leadership position, I could try forging

alliances with like-minded organizations and leaders, recognizing the importance of

collaboration in achieving meaningful social reform.

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