Katrina Servant Leadership Essay

Running head: SERVANT LEADERSHIP DURING HURRICANE KATRINA

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SERVANT LEADERSHIP DURING HURRICANE KATRINA

Servant Leadership During Hurricane Katrina

Gilmore, Derrick

Master Leader Course

Servant Leadership During Hurricane Katrina

The test of leadership is visible in times of crisis. Indeed, many leaders perform well when the conditions are suitable but they fail massively when things get rough. The idea of servant leadership emerged in this regard. Essentially, a servant leader is one that puts servants ahead in all decisions made. All servant leaders are ethical because they exercise their leadership skills to the benefit of community, society, or the organization in which they work. Indeed, many leaders have demonstrated servant

Winston and Fields (2015) note that a servant leader consist of three main characteristics placing followers ahead, demonstrating ethics in decision-making and actions, and creating value. By placing followers first, the leader demonstrates that the followers are more important that the position he or she holds. The leader is there because of the followers. Therefore, it is appropriate to take care of the interests of the followers at all times so that the organization can thrive. Ethical decision-making is all about doing the right thing at the right time. For example, corruption should not be the basis upon which a leader makes decisions acts. This would be very selfish, which would dilute the objectives of the organization, community, or society. Additionally, creation of value comes after a servant leader acts or makes decisions. The community, society, and organization should benefit from the outcomes of servant leadership. On top of these, the servant leader should operate on ten principles listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building the community (Winston and Fields,

In 2001, the Federal Emergency Management Agency were incorporated in the Department of Homeland Security with the hope of improving emergency responses in the country. However, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina exposed many failed in the organization. FEMA failed to provide emergency relief, including food and medical attention to those affected. According to the FEMA director Michael Brown, “they had loaded trucks ready to release aid as soon as it was possible, but FEMA blamed the infrastructure for the failed rescue and recovery mission.” (Pao, 2015). Such excuses raised question about the role of the first responders. In the event of a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina, first responders include the police, rescue teams, emergency medical personnel, sanitation and communication engineers and other management teams. It is crucial for various agencies of first responders to work together to help people in the aftermath of a natural disaster. The role of the first responders during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was supposed to be directing, protecting, treating, and securing those affected by the storm. Instead, victims were forced to live in crowded conditions inside of the Superdome, while awaiting the help of the first responders. The first responders failed to deliver their services in a timely manner. Health needs of children and elderly were