In the ever-evolving leadership landscape, traditional delegative and authoritative approaches have given way to more inclusive and empathetic leadership styles. Among these, servant leadership has become a popular and impactful alternative, by putting the needs of employees first. For modern businesses, servant leadership could be a better approach to consider and providing management teams with the opportunity to learn more about the power of this leadership style has the potential to transform day-to-day operations.
What is Servant Leadership?
Servant leadership turns the table on conventional leadership styles. Instead of leaders prioritising their personal success, they focus on the growth and well-being of their team to inspire and enable them to deliver organisational success. This approach is founded on the evidence that true impactful leadership comes from serving others; creating a collaborative and supportive work environment through nurturing employees’ potential by dedicating time, effort and resources to enabling them to grow and develop.
This leadership style is characterised by sharing power and decision-making, ensuring the collective interests of the team align with the organisational direction.
By putting the needs of employees first, servant leaders boost morale and promote an inclusive atmosphere in the workplace. Interestingly this also has been shown to enhance diversity and inclusivity.
The Popularity of Servant Leadership
The concept of servant leadership isn’t new and it was first popularised back in 1970 by Robert K. Greenleaf who published “The Servant as Leader”. But it’s been around a lot longer, with the motto of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where British Army Officers are trained being “Serve to Lead” since just after WWII. It’s the core principle of other top leadership academies such as Westpoint.
Having graduated from RMAS myself and having taught leadership at the Academy for 2 years I have seen the true impact of “Serve to Lead” in creating highly effective leaders both personally and professionally in military, business and Government.
More recently the realisation of the power of this approach has gained momentum across a range of sectors, public and private, and across global cultures. It’s becoming increasingly recognised as not just a theory but a practical and effective model for leading organisations. Its principles have been widely embraced by management teams looking to create more human-centric workplaces.
Why is Servant Leadership Beneficial?
Servant leadership offers significant benefits to businesses of all sizes, enhancing not only individual performance but also the overall success of the organisation. Let’s be honest if top military academies teach Servant Leadership it must be effective.
Here are some key positive impacts of adopting this leadership style;
- Better Communication
Servant leadership encourages a culture of open communication. By embracing this style, leaders promote two-way dialogue, where feedback flows freely from top to bottom and vice versa. This not only enhances mutual understanding but also creates an inclusive decision-making process, leading to informed and well-rounded business strategies.
- Enhanced Team Performance
By focusing on team empowerment, servant leaders create an environment where innovation and collaboration are not just encouraged but are part of employee’s DNA. They invest in their team’s development, recognising and nurturing each member’s potential, which naturally leads to higher productivity and job performance.
- Stronger Leader-Employee Relationships
The servant leadership model is built on trust and empathy. Leaders who prioritise their team’s well-being have deeper connections, leading to a more loyal and committed workforce. This approach not only minimises conflicts but also promotes a welcoming work environment, especially during challenging times such as structural changes or complex projects.
- Improved Job Satisfaction
Adopting a servant leadership style can significantly enhance job satisfaction across the business. By valuing and addressing employee needs, leaders contribute to a positive workplace culture. Job satisfaction has a positive impact on several key aspects of an organisation, from loyalty and retention to motivation and productivity.
- Long-Term Success
Servant leadership is not just about immediate benefits, it’s about sustainable success. By balancing the needs of employees and customers, leaders create stability and fairness within the organisation. This approach nurtures talent which has a direct impact on the long-term growth and stability of a business.
Challenges and Considerations of this Approach
While servant leadership offers numerous benefits, its implementation can be challenging. It requires a shift in mindset and behaviour, both personally and organisationally. This, at its core, is moving from a “Me not We” culture to one of “We not Me”.
Adapting to a leadership style that consistently places others’ needs ahead of their own can be a huge change for leaders, requiring patience and practice. This selflessness can be difficult to maintain consistently and can conflict with more traditional leadership models.
It’s worth noting that for servant leadership to be truly effective, it needs to be deeply ingrained in the organisation’s culture. If it’s not promoted by leadership teams who are committed to its principles, it simply won’t be effective.
For more insights on how to Accelerate Your Success check out my other articles here which go into greater depth and link out to more resources. To get a “real world” perspective on how to achieve this the successful leaders on my podcast give some great ideas for action that you can implement from tomorrow.
