Servant Leader - You've heard the term but what does it means?



A servant leader is both a leader and a follower.

Servant leadership is a transformative approach to leadership that flips the traditional power dynamic on its head. Instead of leading from the top down, servant leaders prioritize the growth, well-being, and empowerment of their team members.

Coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in the 1970s, the concept centers on the idea that the most effective leaders are those who serve others first. This philosophy encourages leaders to listen actively, empathize deeply, and foster a culture of trust and collaboration.

They share their power - letting the team make decisions until the leader feels they need assistance. It is a difficult balance.

Inc. magazine shares four tips for becoming a servant leader:

1. Stop talking and start listening. Be an active listener and put others needs before yours. To be a servant leader, one must cultivate humility and a genuine desire to support others. It starts with listening - truly hearing the needs, concerns, and aspirations of your team.

2. Increase your awareness. Increasing awareness is the first step toward becoming a more intentional and effective leader. It involves cultivating a deep understanding of yourself first: your values, biases, strengths, and blind spots - as well as tuning into the needs and dynamics of your team and the current situation.

3. Start conceptualizing. Conceptualizing is the ability to see beyond the day-to-day and imagine what’s possible. It’s about connecting the dots between vision, strategy, and execution. Servant leaders use conceptual thinking to guide their teams toward long-term goals while staying rooted in purpose. So, get out of the details of the business and concentrate on operating goals.

4. Be a true steward to your team. Stewarding your team to learn and develop means creating an environment where growth is not just encouraged, it’s expected. Servant leaders act as stewards by investing in their people’s potential, offering mentorship, resources, and opportunities for stretch assignments. They celebrate progress, not just outcomes, and recognize that learning often comes through experimentation and failure. By modeling a growth mindset and removing barriers to development, servant leaders empower their teams to evolve, innovate, and thrive. Being a servant leader may be different than the role you currently hold, but start sharing your power and watch your team reach their potential.

The impact on individuals is profound. When employees feel heard, valued, and supported, they’re more engaged, motivated, and loyal. Servant leadership fosters psychological safety, which encourages innovation and honest communication. People are more likely to take initiative and collaborate when they know their leader has their back—not just in words, but in action.

At the organizational level, servant leadership can be a catalyst for cultural transformation. It builds resilient, high-performing teams that are aligned around shared values and purpose. Organizations led by servant leaders often experience lower turnover, stronger employee satisfaction, and better customer outcomes. Ultimately, servant leadership isn’t just a feel-good philosophy - it’s a strategic advantage rooted in human connection and long-term growth.

If you would like to read the entire article: "Servant First, Leader Second."

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