What is Servant Leadership?

Servant leadership (SL) is a set of behaviors and practices that turn the traditional “power leadership” model upside down; instead of the people working to serve the leader, the leader actually exists to serve the people. As a result, the practice is centered on a desire to serve and emphasizes collaboration, trust, empathy, and the ethical use of power. Its primary goal is to enhance individual growth, teamwork and overall employee involvement and satisfaction.

As servant leaders, we focus on the growth and well being of people and their communities and our main purpose is to inspire and equip all those we influence.

Strong leadership techniques are a key component of any organization, but not all leadership techniques are created equal. Unlike other leadership programs, our dedicated team can help you uncover the Servant Leadership benefits that will take your operation to new heights.

First, by applying Servant Leadership principles, you can greatly increase the efficiency and happiness of your entire team. Just a few benefits include:

  • More engagement and accountability
  • Added confidence and dedication
  • Decreased sick days
  • Increased employee retention
  • Maximized profits

Another benefit of SL is the fact that you can support a better work-life balance among your employees. By helping them to maintain healthy relationships in every area of their lives, you can ensure they’re fully engaged and present when it’s time to get to work.

Servant Leadership benefits don’t just affect those being served. They also have a huge positive effect on those serving as well.

Traditional leadership techniques can leave leaders feeling like they’re battling for power, status, or material possessions. It can create a sense of separation between those being served and the ones who are supposed to be doing the serving.

SL is different because it flips the script. Instead of employees working to serve the leader, the leader exists to serve the employee by inspiring and equipping him/her to do great work. It allows everyone on your team to connect on a deeper, more meaningful level. It enables you to truly serve the deepest needs of the people you work with every day, decreasing stress and improving overall health and well-being.

Servant Leadership is more than a philosophy; it is a daily practice of behaviours. What are you already doing? And, what can you do better? Use the following list daily to acknowledge your progress and celebrate your journey as a servant leader – someone who builds a cohesive trusting culture in which we can live and work.

Servant leadership challenges the notion of the traditional leader as a stand-alone hero. Instead, servant-leadership focuses on a holistic team approach focused around the following values:

  • Building a shared vision
  • Effective self-management
  • Encouraging interdependence
  • Learning from mistakes
  • Encouraging creativity from all
  • Questioning assumptions and being open to being questioned
  • Promoting shared trust
  • Embracing humility

9 Behaviours of a Servant Leader

Click on the arrows to the right to scroll through the elements.

SERVE FIRST

In each encounter, ask the question, “how can serve you? Help you?

BUILD TRUST

Are you trustworthy? Are you willing to extend trust to each other?

LIVE YOUR VALUES

What are your values? In order to live your values, you must first define them.

LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND

Do you talk more than you listen? Can you set aside all distractions and be present for people?

THINK ABOUT YOUR THINKING

What is your attitude as a leader? Are your thoughts about yourself or others holding you back?

ADD VALUE TO OTHERS

Are you a leader who consistently adds value? Do you always take the credit?

DEMONSTRATE COURAGE

Are you willing to make tough decisions and follow through on them? Do you honor your commitments?

INCREASE YOUR INFLUENCE

Will you do what is right even when it may produce an unpopular outcome? Do you strive to be open and authentic with no hidden agendas?

 

LIVE YOUR TRANSFORMATION

If you have something, do you share it? If you need something, do you ask for it?