Robert K. Greenleaf Biography

Why I Wrote the Biography

I wrote Greenleaf’s biography because I had to.

Well, I wasn't forced, but this was one of those things that wouldn’t leave me alone. Every time I set my sights on dong something else the universe conspired to bring me back to the book.

During the years it took to research and write it, I reviewed the story of Jonah at least once a year and read the book of Job several times. But that’s another story.

I first read Greenleaf’s essay The Servant As Leader

in 1986 when my dear friend and mentor Ann McGee-

Cooper sent me a copy. Stunned after reading it, I

called a friend and told her I wanted to spend the

rest of my life working on these ideas. She said,

“Good for you. Have you eaten yet? If not, I’m

having a few friends over and you’re welcome

to join us.”

So much for anyone else understanding personal mountaintop experiences.

I later read most of the Greenleaf archives during the four years I worked part-time for the Greenleaf Center in Indianapolis, so I knew his story was rich and layered. But I had three questions: (1) Did Bob Greenleaf live his own life as a servant-leader at home and at work? If so, how? (2) What were the key influences on his thinking—the people, personal experiences, and ideas? (3) Who was this guy really, and what personal demons and shadows did he contend with?

Greenleaf's children--Newcomb, Elizabeth and

Madeline—agreed to answer all my questions and

allow access to personal papers and family items

not in the archives—as long as I told the truth as

best as I could determine it. No puff-piece hagio-

graphy for their father who, like every other great

human, had his faults. Mostly, they gave me their

trust. They never asked for manuscript approval

but gently corrected errors when I asked for

feedback. They are true Greenleafs, servant-

leaders all, the product of two remarkable parents. I learned from them that if Bob Greenleaf was the father of servant leadership, his wife Esther was the mother of the movement, and was every bit as impressive as Bob. She still hasn't been given the credit she deserves.

With a lot of help from a lot of friends, especially Ann McGee-Cooper, over 50 interviewees, the Greenleaf Center and the Lilly Endowment, the book was finally published on Robert Greenleaf's 100th birthday in 2004 by Berrett-Koehler in San Francisco, a company that Steve Piersanti and his wife founded on the principles of servant leadership.

Sadly, Madeline Greenleaf died before the book

was published.

From Bob Greenleaf I learned to trust mystery and

the gifts of grace. I don't know why I was supposed

to write his life's story, but am now glad I followed

the pesky urge to do so.

Don