Leadership in business has for many years been associated with authority and power. But in recent years, the philosophy of servant leadership has gained traction as a transformative and effective leadership style. Servant leadership stands out as a beacon of empathy, selflessness, and a deep commitment to serving others. Instead of a top-down approach, these leaders put the interests of their team members first. So how is this leadership style achieved? 

Key Principles of Servant Leadership

1. Empathy: Building strong relationships based on trust and emotional support is a cornerstone of servant leadership. These leaders actively listen to their team members, understand their perspectives, concerns, and aspirations and genuinely care (professionally and personally) for those they lead. They know their pets names, what sport little Johnny plays, and that a trip to go see aging parents is likely coming soon.
2. Humility: At the core of servant leadership, you will find humility. These types of leaders aren’t seeking the limelight or power for themselves. Instead, they acknowledge their own limitations and highlight the talents and contributions of their team members. Humble leaders are often caught saying things like “Great point! I hadn’t thought about that” or “Oops, guys. That one’s on me.”
3. Service: True to the name, servant leaders are committed to serving others. They are invested in the team members and actively look for ways to help them achieve their goals, both professionally and personally. One-on-one meetings with team members aren’t the “Leader Show”, they’re the team show; team members have the opportunity (and feel safe) to share their aspirations, what’s working well for them, and where they see opportunities for improvement. And here’s the kicker, humble leaders actually DO something with that feedback.
4. Vision: All leaders need to have a vision. The vision of servant leaders tends to be more pointed: instead of self-serving, they are dedicated to aligning the organization with a shared purpose and values to benefit all stakeholders. Yup, that includes those they lead. Instead of managing up, these leaders manage AROUND. Meaning, they lead and execute their vision with all points of contact in mind – up, down, sideways, backwards, you name it, and they’re thinking of those important folks.
5. Trust: Creating an atmosphere where people feel safe, respected, and valued is a pinnacle of servant leadership. This atmosphere is achieved by leaders demonstrating integrity, transparency, and investment in their team members. This may be the most difficult type of atmosphere for a leader to create. As the world of work is shifting from a hierarchical type of leadership, it’s going to take time for team members to actually feel like their employers care for them (we know, that one is a hard pill to swallow), but with time, consistency, and transparency, this environment can be achieved.

Servant leadership is a compelling leadership style that focuses on the well-being and development of others. By embracing empathy, humility, and a commitment to service, servant leaders can transform their organization into a more positive, compassionate, and successful entity. 

If you’re hoping to embrace this type of leadership style in your organization, CPG can help! With our executive coaching solution, we can help your aspiring and seasoned leaders alike pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future in the world of work by inspiring and empowering those around them.