Values Quotes – Robert Greenleaf on Caring

Today’s quote is from Robert Greenleaf, the founder of the modern servant leadership movement.

An insightful quote from Greenleaf is:
“How much we care depends somewhat on our estimate of the need for our caring.”

As a differentiating value, care means feel concern or interest; and providing attention or treatment.

Wisely, Greenleaf acknowledges that the value of care is not like a light switch, either on or off. No. It’s more like a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is when we care very little and 10 is when we care a lot.

In other words, how much we care is dependent totally upon us. It’s a choice.

For example, how much do I care about ants and other insects? To me they are a 1. But to a friend of mine who is an entomologist, completing her PhD on ants, they’re a 10.

So do I appear as uncaring to her?

Not if I can show my concern or interest by providing attention to HER passion for ants.  When I recognize a need for caring about my friend’s interest, then I offer authentic care.

Greenleaf was right. When our level of care matches our estimate of the need for caring, then we’ve made the right choice and we’re being authentic.

 

Today’s value was selected from the “Appreciation-Kindness” category, based on the e-book Developing Your Differentiating Values.