ORGL-660: Independent Study

Expected Competencies

1. Theoretical Understanding of Servant Leadership
   Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of Robert Greenleaf’s philosophy of servant-leadership and its evolution through modern thought leaders such as Larry Spears and John Horsman.

2. Application of Servant Leadership to Community Contexts
   Apply the principles of servant-leadership to real-world community development scenarios, analyzing its influence on civic engagement, systems change, and relational leadership.

3. Analytical Thinking and Synthesis
   Engage in critical analysis and synthesis of academic theory and community practice, demonstrating the ability to evaluate historical and current events through the lens of servant-leadership.

4. Independent Research and Scholarly Writing
   Produce a scholarly paper that integrates academic theory, case analysis, and strategic insight in service to exploring servant-leadership in contemporary community transformation.

Achieved Competencies

1. Deepened Theoretical Acumen
   Gained comprehensive knowledge of the servant-leadership model, tracing its historical emergence and modern relevance in addressing ethical leadership gaps and hierarchical organizational constraints.

2. Applied Leadership Analysis to Community Case
   Conducted an extensive analysis of San Luis Obispo, CA as a case study in community transformation. Mapped Spears’ ten characteristics of servant-leadership to key civic milestones and leaders within the SLO community.

3. Critical Synthesis of Civic and Organizational Behavior
   Demonstrated a high level of analytical thinking in connecting cultural and economic changes in SLO with the implementation of servant-leadership behaviors in both formal and informal leadership roles.

4. Independent Scholarly Contribution
   Authored a comprehensive paper that serves as a unique application of servant-leadership theory to municipal revitalization, contributing original thought to the field of leadership studies.

Applied Competencies

1. Community Leadership Analysis – San Luis Obispo (SLO):
   Conducted a full-scale analysis of San Luis Obispo’s civic transformation through the lens of Spears’ ten characteristics of servant-leadership. Explored real-world implications of listening, empathy, conceptualization, and foresight in public leadership and city planning.

2. Scholarly Integration of Servant-Leadership in Municipal Strategy:
   Connected Greenleaf’s original texts, Spears’ interpretive work, and John Horsman’s scholarship to real-life community planning, strategic visioning, and ethical governance.

3. Value-Based Leadership Framing:
   Explored the potential for SLO to serve as a replicable national model for servant-led municipal and nonprofit governance rooted in ethical leadership and relational trust.

Artifact Inclusion

• An Examination of Community Change Through the Lens of Servant Leadership (Research Essay)

References

• Buettner, D. (2010). Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society.

• City of San Luis Obispo. (2013). Demographic Profile 2011–12. Retrieved from http://www.slocity.org/economicdevelopment/demographics.asp

• Greenleaf, R. K. (2002). Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness.

• Spears, L. (2004). The Understanding and Practice of Servant-Leadership.

• SLO Chamber of Commerce. (2012). 2012–2017 Strategic Plan. Retrieved from http://slochamber.org/cm/About%20the%20Chamber/Strategic%20Plan.html

Key Words

Servant Leadership; Robert Greenleaf; Larry Spears; John Horsman; Community Development; Municipal Leadership; San Luis Obispo; Ethical Leadership; Civic Engagement; Strategic Vision; Foresight; Public Policy; Systemic Change; Leadership and Service; Thriving Communities