In late September 2018, NBC began televising “New Amsterdam,” a medical drama inspired by Dr. Eric Manheimer’s memoir, “Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital,” and his 15 years as medical director there. The show stars Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin, the institution’s newest medical director, who sets out to reduce bureaucracy and focus on exceptional patient care. Dr. Goodwin frequently asks “How can I help?” and then invariably provides the necessary assistance to the hospital staff. While the show provides the typical TV drama involving relationships and heroics, it also provides a firsthand look at servant leadership.
Robert Greenleaf wrote and released “Servant Leadership” in 1977; it is based on these ten principles: listening, empathy, healing (holistic, not physical), awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building community. A servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the “top of the pyramid,” servant leadership is different. The servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible. (www.greenleaf.org)