SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Servant leadership is a leadership style that emphasizes putting the needs of others first and using one’s leadership skills to serve the needs of others. It is based on the idea that the primary role of a leader is to serve the needs of their team or organization, rather than to seek personal power or gain. In this article, we’ll explore the principles of servant leadership and how it can be applied in the workplace.

One of the key principles of servant leadership is the idea of putting others first. This means that a servant leader focuses on the needs and development of their team or organization, rather than their own personal interests. They are willing to put the needs of others before their own and to make sacrifices for the good of the team.

Another principle of servant leadership is the idea of empowering others. A servant leader believes in the potential of their team and works to empower them to achieve their goals. This can include providing support, resources, and opportunities for growth and development. A third principle of servant leadership is the idea of building community. A servant leader works to create a sense of community and belonging within their team or organization. They foster a culture of collaboration and trust and work to build strong relationships among team members.

Servant leadership can be a powerful leadership style, particularly in situations where a more collaborative, democratic and holocratic approach is needed. By putting the needs of others first, empowering others, and building community, servant leaders can create a positive and productive work environment that benefits both the team and the organization as a whole.

While leadership and management often overlap – managers tend to be leaders, and many leaders become managers – they are separate constructs with different primary functions. The ultimate purpose of leadership is to produce change and movement, whereas the main objective of management is to produce order and consistency. Like transformational leadership, servant leadership claims that leadership has an ethical dimension. However, this idea is by no means universally accepted; for example, how transformational leaders inspire followers to transcend their self-interests for the sake of the common good. How servant leadership is implemented depends on specific organizational context and broader culture. It will look different, for example, in a non-profit organization vs. a for-profit corporation, and it may present a challenge in cultures that do not value human-oriented leadership.

The idea that one can be both a leader and a servant is certainly unique. Other features are unique to servant leadership, such as the importance of community development and self-sacrifice as a guiding principle. It is certainly a good advice to maintain a value-based, servant leadership style to inspire people around the vision and to create a passion to out-perform, including integrity and decisiveness. Such leadership behavior could be seen as a recipe for success to motivate team member to perform at their best, who can also feel respected and valued. Employee will appreciate it. This is something that can be learned! I call it the magic of a rewarding metamorphosis through the power of appreciation in the workplace.