What does servant leadership really mean?
Are you a servant leader? Servant leaders prioritize their team's well-being and take action to ensure that they are motivated, engaged, and empowered to do their best work.
Servant leadership is a philosophy that emphasizes serving others first rather than focusing solely on one's goals and objectives. This approach to leadership involves placing the needs of the people being led at the center of decision-making processes and taking an active role in helping them to achieve their own goals and aspirations. In this article, we'll explore the principles and practices of servant leadership, including the types of actions that servant leaders take and the common traits that they exhibit.
What is Servant Leadership?
Robert Greenleaf introduced the concept of servant leadership in his 1970 essay "The Servant as Leader." In this essay, Greenleaf proposed that the most influential leaders prioritize the needs of others above their own and work to serve the needs of their team members, customers, and other stakeholders.
According to Greenleaf, a servant leader is someone who:
Puts the needs of others first - Servant leaders focus on meeting the needs of their team members, customers, and other stakeholders rather than just focusing on their goals and objectives.
Empowers others - Servant leaders work to empower others to achieve their own goals and aspirations, providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed.
Listens actively - Servant leaders listen to their team member’s and stakeholders' needs and concerns and take action to address them.
Builds community - Servant leaders work to build a sense of community and collaboration within their team, encouraging teamwork, cooperation, and mutual support.
Encourages growth - Servant leaders encourage their team members' personal and professional growth, helping them develop new skills and capabilities that will benefit both the individual and the organization.
Actions of a Servant Leader
The principles of servant leadership can be put into action in several ways. Here are a few examples of the types of actions that servant leaders take:
Providing support and encouragement - Servant leaders provide support and encouragement to their team members, helping them overcome challenges and obstacles and providing feedback and guidance to help them grow and develop.
Building trust - Servant leaders build trust with their team members by being transparent and honest in their communications and demonstrating a consistent commitment to the team's goals and objectives.
Leading by example - Servant leaders lead by example, setting a positive tone for the team and demonstrating the behaviors and attitudes they want to see in others.
Creating a positive culture - Servant leaders create a positive organizational culture that values teamwork, collaboration, and mutual support and encourages innovation and creativity.
Empowering team members - Servant leaders empower them by providing the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed and delegating decision-making authority to those best equipped to make informed decisions.
Traits of a Servant Leader
In addition to taking specific actions, servant leaders exhibit several common traits and characteristics. Here are a few examples of the traits that are typically associated with servant leadership:
Empathy - Servant leaders are empathetic and compassionate and can put themselves in the shoes of others to understand their needs and concerns better.
Selflessness - Servant leaders are selfless and are more concerned with serving the needs of others than with achieving personal success or recognition.
Committed - Servant leaders are committed to their team members and the goals and objectives of the organization and are willing to make personal sacrifices to achieve those goals.
Great Listeners - Servant leaders are good listeners and take the time to understand their team members’ and stakeholders' needs and concerns.
Visionary - Servant leaders have a vision for the people they lead and the departments they are privileged to serve. They inspire their team with that vision.
Humility - Servant leaders are humble and recognize that they do not have all the answers. They are open to feedback, and they are willing to admit when they have made a mistake. They value the opinions and perspectives of others, and they are committed to continuous learning and growth.
Collaboration - Servant leaders prioritize collaboration and teamwork and are committed to building strong teams that support each other.
Servant Leaders fight for their team
A servant leader does more than support their team. They fight for them. They advocated for their team’s needs and concerns. They provide support and guidance to help their team achieve their goals.
A servant leader is also willing to take risks and make tough decisions to support their team. They would defend their team's interests and advocate for their needs, even if it meant going against the status quo or challenging authority. A servant leader would be a strong advocate for their team, working tirelessly to ensure they have the support and resources needed to succeed.
Wrapping it up
Are you a servant leader? Servant leadership is a leadership style that prioritizes serving the needs of others over the needs of the leader. It is characterized by empathy, humility, collaboration, empowerment, and a commitment to service. Servant leaders work tirelessly to build strong relationships with their followers and prioritize collaboration and teamwork. They are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others, and they are dedicated to serving their customers, communities, and followers. By embodying these principles, servant leaders can inspire their teams to achieve great things and positively impact the world. Servant leadership is a powerful and practical approach to leadership that can help organizations achieve long-term success and make a positive difference in the world.