66 Ducere Est Servire: THE LEADERSHIP JOURNAL OF DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY this approach may positively impact the manner by which younger generations behave towards themselves, other people, and the world. To instill these principles of shared commitment, giving back, personal humility, stewardship, and service, parents and adult leaders should utilize a form of leadership where such beliefs are uniquely rooted— servant leadership.43 Servant leaders first seek to serve the needs of followers, help others to grow, and distribute power and authority to others rather than focusing only on their own individual needs.44 One of the greatest models of servant leadership is found in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, who modeled personal humility, risk-taking, stewardship through service, shared responsibility and authority, and team leadership through the way he led by serving the needs of others first.45 Servant leadership values are important characteristics of personal and corporate leadership to instill in younger generations prior to them entering the workforce. As Gen Z prepares to face the pressure of performing, raising profits, earning compensation, moving up the corporate leadership ladder, and the potential to engage in unethical behaviors to appear more successful in the workplace, the opportunity for sociological conversations increases. If parents, adult leaders, and mentors categorically influence a young person towards greater compassion, concern for others, giving back, the importance of volunteering, and serving without personal gain or recognition today, would these future employees embrace a higher morality and ethic in their approach to the workplace in the future? With the prevalence of rising unethical behaviors in business, there is actually great hope in creating a society centered on greater sustainability, concern for marginalized groups, and social justice through corporate programs such as CSR. The future life and work of Gen Z will be an ever-changing and complex paradigm of necessity, purpose, and commitment to service over self—if guided and directed by servant-leadership minded leaders, teachers, and mentors. Through the intentional efforts of servant leaders today, Gen Z could be influenced towards the importance of ethical awareness, corporate and economic sustainability, personal development, and moral concern for others.
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