Understanding Servant Leadership: Is a servant mentality the key to a loyal and trusting team?

With so many different leadership styles out there, it's difficult to know which one would suit you and your team the best.

If you're struggling to find one that aligns, it's worth looking at your core values and finding one that works with and not against you.

If you find yourself wanting to serve others and inspire loyalty and dedication, servant leadership could be your calling.

So what is servant leadership? Unlike traditional leadership models that focus on hierarchy and authority, servant leadership prioritises the growth, well-being and empowerment of your team.

If you're looking to understand this leadership style, you're in the right place. This article is for seasoned leaders and aspiring future leaders, so if you want to find out if servant leadership is right for you, read on.

What is servant leadership?

This effective leadership approach puts the needs of others and the growth of others first by helping them to develop and perform at their best.

They prioritise the well-being and growth of their team members and work to create a supportive and empowering work environment.

As a servant leader, the primary role is to serve their team. This differs from traditional leadership styles that are focused on hierarchy and command.

If you think back to an office-based movie you've seen, nearly all of them are centred around hierarchical leadership, as it's what many think is the 'norm'.

But think about it, if leaders aimed to serve, rather than be served, wouldn't workplaces be filled with trust and respect instead of fear and pressure?

What is servant leadership theory?

This theory is focused on a hands-on approach that is built around understanding the team's needs, investing in their development and prioritising transparency of ethics and principles.

As we've mentioned, this type of leadership is very different from a lot of other techniques as it is seen as progressive.

It banishes hierarchical structures and puts the power back in the team's hands. It focuses on the success and development of the team instead of the leader.

This in turn means businesses can achieve more and bring further success, together.

The key characteristics of servant leadership

As with every transformational leadership style, there are key principles and key priorities that define it.

For servant leadership, there are 10 key components to making it successful. These are:

Listening

Active listening is fundamental to servant leadership. Leaders pay close attention to team members, understanding their perspectives and concerns.

This involves not just hearing, but truly listening and engaging with the thoughts and opinions shared by every person.

Giving every team member an opportunity to voice their thoughts encourages open dialogue which contributes to building an inclusive and collaborative workplace.

Empathy skills

Empathy goes beyond understanding; it's about valuing the feelings and experiences of others.

Servant leaders have profound empathy, which allows them to understand their team members at a more personal level.

Their team should know that they can have trust and confidence in their leader and feel understood when sharing anything.

Healing

Healing focuses on well-being. Servant leaders support both personal and professional development and help their team members to overcome challenges.

It's about creating an environment where employees feel supported and know they can overcome challenges, which in turn leads to a more resilient team.

Awareness

Servant leaders are highly self-aware, understanding how their decisions and actions affect their team and the organisation.

This self-awareness means they can make better-informed decisions and be proactive in addressing issues.

It also involves taking accountability for their decisions and their own personal growth. Only then will have have a trusting team.

Persuasion

Rather than resorting to authority, servant leaders use persuasion to guide their team decisions.

While servant leadership puts the team first, there still needs to be an authoritative figure for it to work.

This doesn't mean someone using their authority to get what they want, but someone to guide and direct their team as needed.

The use of persuasion, rather than authority in servant leadership, enhances team cohesion and cooperation.

Conceptualisation

Conceptualisation involves planning for long-term goals without sacrificing day-to-day tasks.

Servant leaders balance the detail-oriented aspects of management with the ability to think beyond immediate needs.

It's a balance between long-term strategy and the steps needed to get there.

Foresight

Foresight enables servant leaders to predict potential outcomes based on past experiences and current trends.

Anticipating future challenges and opportunities means that they can guide their team effectively if and when they arise.

By being proactive, servant leaders are making their team more resilient and adaptable.

Stewardship

Stewardship in servant leadership is about leaders carrying the responsibility of guiding their team and organization towards success.

Servant leaders serve as stewards who nurture their team's growth and are advocates for their success.

Commitment to the growth of their people

A servant leadership style involves a genuine commitment and engagement to the personal and professional development of team members.

Leaders invest time and resources in training and mentoring and provide growth opportunities to assist with and improve their team's job performance.

Building community

Servant leaders understand that community is at the heart of a successful company. They encourage collaboration and transparency and teammates offer support when needed.

They know that company retreats are one of the best ways to build community and plan regular ones throughout the year.

By having a community-focused approach, they create a positive work culture and reduce attrition rates.

Advantages of servant leadership

Ethical behaviour

Servant leadership encourages ethical behavior as leaders prioritise transparency and morality in their decision-making processes.

Servant leaders value honesty and integrity and that feeds down into their teams as well.

This means they have trustworthy leadership and a team that is loyal and can be depended on.

Job satisfaction

This works for both the leader and their team.

For the leader, by prioritising their team's needs over their own, gives a greater sense of fulfilment.

By engaging in practices that benefit their team and act to support and raise their team up, they are boosting morale for themselves and their employees.

Their team get to enjoy all of those benefits and have a leader who they know is there to support and challenge them to grow.

Enhanced productivity

When teams are empowered, they are typically more productive. They have a greater sense of purpose and want to work harder for a leader who respects them.

By focusing on each person's development, servant leaders help their team to achieve their potential. That goal to achieve more is a great motivator to be more productive.

Disadvantages of servant leadership

Practical challenges

Servant leadership can bring some practical challenges when we look at implementation.

One challenge is balancing empathy and understanding with achievement and business goals.

As the leader of a company, there is pressure to achieve demanding operational and financial goals.

As with any type of leader, you need to always maintain efficiency, but keeping this balance can be difficult without compromising the core values of servant leadership.

Delays in decision-making

Decision-making processes in servant leadership can be slower than in traditional leadership models.

Because this leadership style encourages input from team members, it can result in longer discussions and delayed decisions.

While inclusive decision-making promotes employee engagement, it can hinder timely responses.

To move past this, servant leaders should have a clear process for decision-making to make sure rapid decisions can be made when needed.

How to become a servant leader

If you think this is right for you, here are our tips for how to implement a servant leadership model.

Lead by example

Exhibit the behaviours and actions you wish to see in your team. Demonstrate empathy by actively listening to their concerns and ideas and ensure others do the same.

Show integrity by making decisions transparently and ethically and getting input from your team when necessary.

The key is to be consistent as this will build trust and respect among your team members.

Show the importance of everyone's role

Acknowledge the significance of each team member's contribution.

Make sure everyone understands how their role impacts the organisation's goals and take time to recognise everyone's input.

A well-informed and supported team will be more engaged and productive.

Encourage teamwork

As community is at the heart of this leadership style, encouraging teamwork is essential.

Create an environment where collaboration is valued and celebrated. Facilitate open communication channels for sharing ideas and feedback and create a space for easy knowledge sharing.

Use team-building activities to strengthen relationships and host regular company retreats with fun activities.

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Support team development

Invest in the professional growth of your team.

Provide opportunities for training and skill development and offer constructive feedback regularly.

Encourage a culture where continuous learning is always supported.

Personal care for team members

Each person on your team has their own set of needs and requirements. Servant leaders show genuine concern for the well-being of their team by recognising and addressing those needs and challenges.

Create a supportive work environment by offering flexibility, such as compressed hours or a 4-day work week and mental health resources.

Examples of servant leaders

There are many well-known figures that have adopted Robert Greenleaf's servant leadership philosophy. See if you recognise any of its followers.

Conclusion

Servant leadership isn't just an executive management style but a philosophy that prioritises well-being and encourages growth. By embracing empathy, active listening and a commitment to growth, servant leaders build a happier, more engaged team.

While embracing servant leadership requires commitment, the benefits are clear. By leading with empathy, active listening and genuine care for your team, you can drive sustainable growth and create a more engaged and motivated workforce.

To quote Ken Blanchard, "A servant leadership mindset is all about focusing on others rather than yourself."

If you're ready to put your team first and be a great leader, servant leadership is for you. [SOURCE]