Servant leadership is about having a decentralized organizational structure in which the leader works with everyone on a level playing field. Servant leadership is a about prioritizing the growth, well-being, and empowerment of employees. It aims to foster an inclusive environment that enables everyone in the organization to thrive as their authentic self.
In traditional leadership leader focuses on the success of the organization and is an authority where in a servant leadership is all about putting employees first for the organizational growth through their commitment and engagement. If one asks what is the role of a servant leader, simply put if people first leadership is implemented correctly, can help foster trust, accountability, growth, and inclusion in the workplace.
Definition of servant leadership
Robert Greenleaf, a twentieth-century researcher used the term “servant leadership” by using the term in a 1970s essay titled “The Servant as Leader”. Customer-facing employees can use servant leadership to make better connections with customers. These employees have a close relationship with the consumer and can make better decisions to retain those customers and acquire new ones.
Experts believe that servant leadership improves the emotional health of employees by empowering them and allowing them more freedom to express themselves. Servant leadership is all about acceptance and this helps in creating a “psychological ethical climate” that allows employees to be authentic and not fear judgment from leadership for being themselves. It encourages a forgiving and understanding attitude that allows employees to make mistakes, learn from their mistakes, and channel that into personal and professional growth in the organization.
Servant leadership characteristics
As per Greenleaf’s observation, the most important servant leadership characteristic is to prioritize serving rather than leading. Servant leaders is about serving the needs of employees and helping them grow in the organization. Though, Greenleaf has not specified any exact characteristics or traits for servant leader, researchers James Sipe and Don Frick studied his work and outlined seven pillars of servant leadership.
Person of character
A servant leader upholds integrity, grounds decisions in ethics and principles, leads with humility, and works in service of a greater organizational purpose.
People first
One of the important trait of a servant leadership is care and concern for others. They uplift employees and work towards their growth within the organization.
Skilled communicator
Ability to communicate is an integral aspect of servant leadership. The trait of a servant leadership is being an effective listener and has the ability to take feedback.
Compassionate collaborator
The characteristic of a strong servant leader is working to strengthen relationships, support diversity, equity, and inclusion, and navigate conflict in the workplace.
Forward planner
As a servant leader, you must anticipate future challenges, uphold a clear organizational vision, and act decisively when the moment calls for it.
Strategic thinking
Servant leaders need to be comfortable navigating complex environments and able to adapt to change. This type of leadership requires strategic thinking and the ability to effectively lead change in the organization.
Being a moral leader
As a servant leader, it’s important to establish trust and confidence in your workforce by establishing quality standards, accepting, and delegating responsibility and fostering a culture that allows for accountability.
Servant leadership pros and cons
Every leadership style has its advantages and disadvantages, or pros and cons depending on the context in which it’s exercised.
Advantages of servant leadership are:
- Employees respect leaders.
- When you have a servant leader employees feel valued, as they are feeling looked after.
- There is a shared vision
- A strong trust between employees and leaders
- Leaders listen, which leads to improved innovative efforts
- Individuals develop skills and can advance professionally in a supportive environment
Disadvantages of servant leadership are:
- Few leaders have experience in this type of management
- Adoption may require difficult cultural change
- Decisions can take time, which can be detrimental in times of crisis
- Staff may be given more responsibility than they can handle
Examples of servant leadership
In the technology industry, servant leadership is most often seen in agile development environments on Scrum teams. On a Scrum team, the Scrum Master isn’t necessarily a leader; instead they’re a team member who works closely with other agile workers and takes charge on defining requirements, mapping sprint plans, and resolving any roadblocks along the way.
Popular servant leaders
- CEO of Ford Motor, Alan Mulally
- CEO of Apple, Tim Cook
- CEO of YouTube, Susan Wojcicki
- CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz
- CEO of Unilever, Paul Polman
Named here are just few of the leaders who follow servant leadership but there are many more who are follow the same. These leaders have risk-taking abilities, are employee-focused, and driven by success over profits.
In a simply structured business environment, where teams innovate together, servant leadership can provide the necessary guidance for the achievement of many. It’s designed to work in contrast to the authoritarian style that promotes management power over employees.
