In layman’s term, we know a servant is a person giving service to another. Much as we refer a person who does extraordinary deed, a hero. Can these two personalities be rolled into one?
For some, it might be as easy as walking in the park. This might also be very difficult for others. But with right attitude, it is possible. Being an optimistic person, who usually sees favorable outcome of things.
We, public servants can be servant heroes in our own little ways. That is giving our ordinary services to the public extraordinarily.
How can this be done?
Let us create a client-friendly environment in our offices. We cannot deny the fact that an ordinary citizen is afraid to step inside a government office nowadays. He has the fear of not being attended. Some believe personnel are unapproachable, driving them away. Changing this mindset of our citizenry will certainly magnet the public to avail any of the services offered.
At one instance, I had a chance to entertain a middle-aged lady seeking help in our office. She was hesitant at first in our conversation. To my surprise, she confessed right at the end of our talk that she felt relieved, erasing her belief that government offices are difficult to transact.
Time is gold. Everybody wants to spend time productively. However, when you experience standing the entire day queuing, to transact a few minute business is absolutely unproductive. There must be something wrong somewhere in the process. This predicament has brought hassle and is cumbersome to most people. Given the circumstance, people will develop temper easily. They become irritated. Most of the time concerned offices gave vague and inconsistent explanations.
As servant heroes, we should try to explain to the public, the most comprehensible way why inconveniences arise at some point. Not giving them a cloud of uncertainty. Perhaps, passing a person from a desk to another should be minimized. However, if the situation calls for it, it is just proper to do the same.
A year ago, I was religiously standing, waiting for my turn to transact business with a certain government agency, only to find out that we were told to disperse, despite the clocks hand was still way far from the close of the office hours. I felt disappointed for the kind of service I got. This should be avoided at all times, if government offices want to project a positive image to the public.
Many say, we should not look at the outside appearance of a person, it is often deceiving, but rather look the inner appearance, there lies his true intrinsic value.
I must say servant heroes should possess both. External looks produce respect from others. The honor and dignity of public service start on the way you dress. Neither one would approach you if you have an unkempt appearance. Hesitation will occur and trust will materialize longer.
No doubt a servant hero is someone who has tested patience. He is able to empathize when necessary, not losing his impartiality towards the decisions he will make later on. In doing so, he gains a better understanding of the predicament of the other person. Thus, he will be able to come up with a balanced and well-rounded decision or advice.
A servant hero has a high degree of integrity and trust, unspoiled of any misconduct in whatever form. We all know that once these two attributes collapse, it is hard to build back.
Everyone has a servant hero spirit within himself. For all we know, it has been cultivated and practiced in our day to day dealings with others, particularly with our families, friends, co-workers and even to strangers.
I believe great things begin in small things. Minute deeds lumped together can move mountains, change society and change people’s lives.
As what Sydney Smith had said and I quote, “It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little – do what you can. “ Hence, let us be servant heroes in our little ways.
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