Servanthood

I just read something I have never heard before and it totally blew me away.  It was “if servanthood is beneath you, leadership is above you.”
I guess the reason it meant something to me is I have seen it in practice.  David from table tennis put an illustration on Facebook which to me was a beauty.  It showed the difference between a boss and a leader.  Terms do not necessarily mean much in that I had a boss at work who I considered was a leader.  I called him my boss.  I will always do that.  If the custom is to call him the boss that is what I will do.  It does not matter what I think.  To me, those in office should receive from me the respect of the office.
David’s illustration showed people pulling a load.  The boss was driving them from behind.  The leader on the other hand was at the head, pulling the load with the others.
At work I saw that as clear as a bell.  We needed a manager.  The person that initially got the job would not lift a finger.  It was like helping out was beneath him.  He was the boss.  One time he did help me.  It is sad I can remember it so clearly.  The reason he assisted is there was no way one person alone could have done what was asked.  He was personable and friendly.  Trouble is, he was like a square peg in a round hole.
He did not last.  He gave it away.  The next person we got I consider a boss and a leader.  It was terrific how he helped us out.  It did not matter if the task was menial or complex.  When he could, he was there assisting.  He gained a real good understanding of what our positions involved. 
He still mixed with the big wigs.  But what he brought to the table emphasised to me the difference between the two.   The first would have pushed an agenda without understanding.  The second would have pushed an agenda based on understanding.
To me, unless someone is willing to get down and dirty with us plebs, then I will follow because I have to, and not because I want to.  I don’t know that just mixing it with like kind cuts it.  To me, a leader represents all he represents.  From the least in the organization to the greatest.  Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.
When that happens, my allegiance is given willingly.  I will accept mistakes more willingly as I know the one representing me is giving it his best shot from amongst us rather than from above us.  It has no doubt been happening for time immemorial but it seems those who want a position are waiting in the wings for me to blow it so they can take my place.  For me the trouble with that is “he who lives by the sword will die by the sword.”  Without doubt, there will be someone else in the wings awaiting the occupant of a position to slip up.
I am reading a book of speeches at the moment.  I have never read a book more slowly.  Many times I do not understand what I just read and it means going over it again until I do.  Although diverse, there is a common theme.  Leaders who exemplify and speak as one of those addressed, are the most inspiring, and cause me to want to go into bat for them.