by James Dickey (@jamesdickey), the #1 most followed Conservative on Twitter

At TCOT, projects are led by Project Servant-Leaders (PS-Ls). We chose that term very intentionally to reflect the stewardship nature of leadership in our group. Our overall cause of restoring limited government, free markets, and conservative principles to the governance of the United States is a worthy one.  Team members who devote the time and treasure to the accomplishment of the goals of the project, therefore, must be lead with recognition of their commitment.

Servant-leadership is an inherently conservative principle. Just as a government with too much power inevitably leads to problems, a leader with too much power does the same.  Government - or leaders - with too much power either take away freedom and initiative or poorly allocate resources.

As a grassroots volunteer organization facing a huge challenge, TopConservativesOnTwitter.org (TCOT) cannot afford either reduced initiative or poorly allocated resources. PS-Ls will, in contrast to autocratic leaders, ensure the group receives the most value and best results. PS-L's, in essence, recognize the power of the free market in political ideas and organization.

TCOT, has embodied this principle by allowing PS-Ls to manage the several Action Projects that have already arisen. Wikipedia describes servant leadership, in part, as follows:

Unlike leadership approaches with a top-down hierarchical style, Servant Leadership instead emphasizes collaboration, trust, empathy, and the ethical use of power. At heart, the individual is a servant first, making the conscious decision to lead in order to better serve others, not to increase their own power. 

The objective is to enhance the growth of individuals in the organization and increase teamwork and personal involvement.

Servant leadership recognizes that the success of the TCOT and its objectives is more important than personal achievement, credit or control. Further, PS-L is not a false humility. A servant leader knows that their most important contribution is making sure the rest of the organization has what they need to succeed. No one member can alone accomplish as much as the combined effort of separate empowered individuals voluntarily focused around clear objectives.

Servant leadership is powerful, but it is not easy. As mentioned above, it requires collaboration, trust and empathy. It requires a willingness to trade control for influence. But it provides great personal rewards as well - the opportunity to see others fulfill their potential, expand possibilities, and produced results better than you would have expected or required.

I thank Michael for living out the PS-L example - letting me post my thoughts on this subject. I look forward even more to seeing the many incredible members of TCOT who will prove the power of servant leadership as they take on the Project Servant-Leader or Team Member role in one or more Action Projects. As a direct result I know we will see incredible results.

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Servant-Leader Projects
written by Reina Hosier, January 07, 2009

So how do I find out about projects in process, projects that need leaders, and how to fulfill a need?

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written by Jay Gibbons, February 26, 2009

I have the same question as Reina. How do we get started? I have time to devote.

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Why the inconsistency?
written by Paul Gibbons, February 26, 2009

"Servant-leadership is an inherently conservative principle. Just as a government with too much power inevitably leads to problems, a leader with too much power does the same. Government - or leaders - with too much power either take away freedom and initiative or poorly allocate resources."

I think it's time to start working from first principles. What is political power? It is the ability to bend another to your will without his consent; by force if necessary. Chairman Mao said it best, "political power grows from the barrel of a gun." Political power is Tolkein's 'one ring to rule them all'. Washington noted that "government is force" and called it a "fearful master". The problem is the delusion that it could EVER be a SERVANT. How much more human history do we have to study before we finally get to the inescapable answer that government can NEVER be a servant. It does NOT do business on a voluntary basis. Like all of us. Every day of our lives. We respect our neighbors and their property. We do not threaten or coerce others to make a living. The government does. This is painfully apparent every April 15th. Government violates all four of the principles you require to join this group. Why are we not talking about this?

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written by Denise Hunter, March 14, 2009

I want to find out how to be a servant-leader in Allen County. This County really needs help, and I have time to do this. Many of the men are too busy to do this, so it might be left up to us women.

Thank you!!

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