Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the ten characteristics (behaviors) of Servant Leadership, as applied to the life of evangelist Dr. Billy Graham. Methodology. The qualitative research method was used, specifically historical and ethnographic. Data collection included both primary and secondary sources. Data from sources were analyzed to document the servant leadership behaviors as applied to the life of Billy Graham from 1938 to 2001. Findings. The Servant Leadership behaviors listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building community as defined by Larry Spears and Robert Greenleaf were exemplified in the life of Billy Graham. The documentation on Servant Leadership and Billy Graham was organized in a matrix to analyze both areas of literature. The number of times Graham demonstrated one of the behaviors is noted on the matrix and is reflected in the key findings. Listening, healing, commitment to the growth of people, and building of community were his strongest assets. Graham's skillful ability to listen to people led to an array of relationships with people around the world. His reflective listening, prayer, allowed him to reflect on his Christian life and his relationship with God. His ability to listen was a foundation behavior that allowed him to be successful at healing others which exemplified his commitment to people and building community. Conclusions. Billy Graham demonstrated that a life of servanthood leads to effective leadership. Though his intentions were not to become a world-renowned evangelist but simply to serve God and man by sharing how Jesus Christ is the Savior to the world. Through his life he also exemplifies how the ten characteristics of a Servant Leader make an effective leader in technologically advanced society. The behaviors of Servant Leadership describe the eastern philosophy, but it is through a leader's being that the person is successful in accomplishing the tasks before him/her. Graham qualifies as a 'good man' in the East and West. It was from his "quality of being" that he accomplished and can be measured by his "quality of doing." Future research. For this reason additional variations on this research need to occur. Variations to this study might include: (1) A comparative study between charismatic leadership and Servant Leadership and their effects on the culture and climate of an organization. (2) A study could be conducted on other leadership behaviors of another religious leader. (3) Application of any of the components of Servant Leadership to any other historical leader. (4) The impact of Servant Leadership on organizational leadership. (5) The application of Billy Graham's style of Servant Leadership and its implications on educators in public schools.