Essay Sample on Service Leadership Principles in Mission Statement

Introduction

Organizations require motivation energy to push through with their operations. One of such inspiration sources is the mission statement which summarizes an institution's objectives. Moreover, it illuminates the plans that are suitable for the organization's progress regarding both customer and employee satisfaction. Importantly, it says a lot about the company's values and culture that affect the normal running. A leadership style of business is one aspect that is reflected in the mission statement. This paper focuses on analyzing and comparing the servant leadership method principles that are illuminated in various companies' mission statements. The selected organizations are Apple Inc. and Chick-Fill-A.

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Apple Inc. is a telecommunication company that manufactures and supplies computer accessories. It was established in 1978 as a Software Company, and it has developed to be a technological hub (Aljafari, 2016). Over, the years, Apple Inc. has grown to be one of the leading companies in the computer manufacturing industry thanks to its policies, especially in leadership. Importantly, its different leaders come with their strategies; thus, the company has never had a permanent mission statement. Its former CEO, Steve Jobs is known to have expanded the company's wealth through his leadership style (Aljafari, 2016). As noted by Aljafari, During Job's reign, Apple's mission statement was "Man is the creator of change in this world. As such, he should be above systems and structures, and not subordinate to them" (2016).

Chick-fil-A is an American restaurant that serves fast foods. Forbes termed the business as the leading in hospitality industry thanks to its leadership and business styles. The corporate purpose of this organization is "To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A" (Turner, 2015).

The statements from the two institutions have some noticeable similarities and differences. First, both are meant to motivate the employees to be of the best character to benefit the companies' success. Apple's declaration insists that the staffs are the originators of ideas; thus, they should feel afraid to implement them as well as sharing them with their colleagues or superiors. Similarly, Chick-Fil-A stresses that workers should live an exemplary life full of moral traits.

Moreover, both announcements explain the institutions' choice of strategies in carrying out their operations to achieve the set objects. It is evident that Apple's excellence depends primarily on the employees' innovative ideas in manufacturing products that are in line with the trendy technology as well as customers. In Chick-Fil-A's case, one can tell that the organization's success relies mostly on the employees' favorable personalities that attract customers as they (staff) makes them (clients) feel welcomed.

Importantly, the differences between the two companies are depicted through their motivation and inspiration source. For instance, Apple Inc is a company that is driven by the curiosity of technological acquisition which is highlighted in the mission statement. The word "change" in the corporate enhancer implies the company's effort in providing new computer accessories with the advancement of technology that will enable in meeting the clients' needs. On the other hand, Chick-Fil-A is a hospitality-based institution; hence it requires staffs that are disciplined to attract customers. Therefore, that's the reason why the company's statement pays attention to religion and morality.

Notably, each of the two organizations' statements impacts their culture regarding marketing and operations. As mentioned, Apple Inc. is all about the embracement of technology and innovation. Its former statement, "Man, is the creator of change in this world. As such, he should be above systems and structures, and not subordinate to them," is a clear indication that its main agenda is to produce new computer products in response to the changing time (Aljafari, 2016). On the hand, Chick-Fil-A is driven by food culture and services that make the customers "feel at home" (Turner, 2015). Therefore, the company's employees must possess an amiable personality to provide friendly services to the customers. Chiefly, the good organization-client relationship is supported by the company's mission statement as it calls for ethical standards.

Servant leadership is the leading where the leader's primary purpose is to serve together with his/her juniors. According to Spears, this concept advocates for the managers to put the needs and preferences of his/her staff first (2010). The leader uses his/her bestowed power and influence to better the subjects concerning professionalism and personality to achieve the institution's goals (Spears, 2010). Notably, the commander does not delegate all responsibilities to the subordinates; instead, he/she works closely with them to ensure their growth and that of the organization.

Importantly, the concept of servant leadership is represented explicitly and implicitly in both Apple's and Chick-Fil-A's mission statements. The former Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs who was the composer of Apple's corporate declaration was recognized as a servant leader (Aljafari, 2016). Jobs believed in incorporating his staff in his strategic leadership, and he encouraged them to share their innovative ideas (Aljafari, 2016). Moreover, he never waited for his juniors to complete a certain task; instead, he would do them himself (Aljafari, 2016). Therefore, the statement that he composed for Apple encouraged his principles of servant leadership. As mentioned above, it advocated for the staffs to be generators of ideas; thus, it promoted the employees' development intellectual concerning creativity and career.

On Chick-Fil-A's side, the declaration is explicit through its leaders' technique of leading. Chick-Fil-A's vice CEO, Dee Turner attributes the success of the organization to servant leadership which is also highlighted in the mission statement (Turner 2015). Turner ensures that she satisfies her staffs' preferences for them to perform effectively (Turner, 2015). Moreover, Chick-Fil-A's three guiding values, character, competence, and chemistry, are also reflected. According to Turner, the managers at Chick-Fil-A motivate the workers' proper behavior to their colleagues and superiors as well as the customers. Notably, service leadership is about being authentic to influence effectively (Spears, 2010). This aspect is noted in the company's declaration and is indirectly applicable in the organization operations. As noted by Turner, her colleagues and she nurtures their juniors, to be honest.

Conclusion

In my view, both Apple Inc. and Chick-Fil-A are living out of the values expressed by their mission statements. Both companies are succeeded in the competitive market by motivating the staffs to deliver quality work output. Although it has a different mission statement, Apple Inc. has managed to beat the trendy odds by producing products that match with the evolving technology. The current mission statement states the new brands (Farfan, 2017). I think it is a product of the previous one which was Job's philosophy of allowing employees to nurture their intellectual skills by freely expressing themselves. On the other side, Chick-Fil-A efforts are seen through the customers' positive feedback on the company's the website that they enjoy the polite interaction with the staff (Turner 2015).

Generally, mission statements are essential as they provide a direction in which an organization follows to its success. Consequently, service leading is also critical as it culminates to productive relationship between institutional heads and their subjects; thus, contributing to its excellence.

References

Aljafari A. 2016. Apple Inc. Industry Analysis Business Policy and Strategy. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research. 7(3), 406-441.

Farfan B. 2017. Learn about Apple's Mission Statement. Retrieved from https://www.thebalancesmb.com/apple-mission-statement-4068547. Updated on December 24, 2017. Accessed on March 10, 2019.

Spears C. L. 2010. Character and Servant Leadership: Ten Characteristics of Effective, Caring Leaders. The Journal of Virtues and Leadership. 1(1), 25-30.

Turners D. A. 2015. It's My Pleasure: The Impact of extraordinary Talent and a Compelling Culture. Elevate Publishing, New York.