In 1970, a man named Robert Greenleaf coined a counterintuitive term: servant leadership. While traditional leadership approaches focus on directing and motivating others for the benefit of the company, a servant leadership style emphasizes how a leader’s support can benefit their direct reports.
The hallmark of a servant leader is their focus on others. Servant leaders value their team members and work to ensure their needs are met. They want to see their team members grow to reach their full potential, and their concern for others extends to their entire organization and community.
In practice, servant leadership can look very different from person to person. However, research shows that there are 7 important aspects of servant leadership:
Servant leaders put their followers first. Servant leaders demonstrate that they care about their team member’s work needs via their words and actions, even if it means the leader must pause their own work to help.
Servant leaders empower their teams. These leaders encourage their team members to identify and solve problems proactively. They give their team members the freedom to determine when and how tasks are completed.
Servant leaders develop and support their followers. They may do this by helping their team members identify and leverage their strengths, giving them opportunities to have an impact, and/or encouraging them to take risks so that they can grow.
Servant leaders help create emotional healing. They are sensitive to other’s personal concerns. They use empathy, active listening, and wisdom to help their team members heal from past negative experiences.
Servant leaders act ethically. They are authentic, honest, and fair in everything they do.
Servant leaders create value for the community. They seek to help others both inside and outside of their organization. They give back to their community and encourage their team members to do the same.
Servant leaders have strong conceptual skills. They are knowledgeable about their organization and understand what needs to be done. Using this understanding, they can support their team.
If you’d like to learn more about servant leadership, check out part two of our blog series.
Chew On This:
Which of the seven characteristics stands out to you most? How would your team, organization and you benefit from that characteristic?