


Spears, published in "The Journal of Virtues and Leadership," Vol. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, these are the 10 most important characteristics of servant leaders:įrom "Character and Servant Leadership: 10 Characteristics of Effective, Caring Leaders" by Larry C. Spears, former president of the Robert K.
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How to Become a Servant LeaderĪccording to Larry C. Don't avoid making unpopular decisions or giving team members negative feedback when this is needed.Īlso, do not rely on it exclusively – use it alongside styles like Transformational Leadership, where you develop an inspiring vision of the future, motivate people to deliver this, manage its implementation, and build an ever-stronger team. Remember that servant leadership is about focusing on other people's needs – not their feelings. Here, servant leaders may struggle to earn respect. However, servant leadership is problematic in hierarchical, autocratic cultures where managers and leaders are expected to make all the decisions.

It complements democratic leadership styles, and it has similarities with Transformational Leadership – which is often the most effective style to use in business situations – and Level 5 Leadership – which is where leaders demonstrate humility in the way they work. Rather it's a way of behaving that you adopt over the longer term.

Servant leadership is not a leadership style or technique as such. It can also lead to increased innovation. This leads to higher engagement, more trust, and stronger relationships with team members and other stakeholders. You acknowledge other people's perspectives, give them the support they need to meet their work and personal goals, involve them in decisions where appropriate, and build a sense of community within your team. Greenleaf first coined the phrase "servant leadership" in his 1970 essay, " The Servant as a Leader." However, it's an approach that people have used for centuries.Īs a servant leader, you're a "servant first" – you focus on the needs of others, especially team members, before you consider your own. We'll also look at situations where it isn't appropriate. Samit is an example of a "servant leader." In this article, we'll explore what servant leadership is, and the advantages it can bring you as a leader. He makes decisions with the team's best interests in mind, and ensures that everyone has the resources and knowledge they need to meet their objectives.Īs a result of this, his team is one of the most successful in the department, with low staff turnover and high engagement. Samit also makes an effort to see situations from others' perspectives. – Jim Rohn, American entrepreneur.Įveryone on Samit's team knows that he's "there for them." He checks in with them often to see how they are, and he helps them develop the skills they need to advance their careers, even if this means that they may move on. A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better. Find out how meeting others’ needs can make you a more effective leader.
