Servant Leaders prioritize the needs of their team members. Their role is to serve, rather than being served.
These leaders are focused on service to people and organization and the team works together toward common goals.
Are you serving a mission greater than yourself? What YOU need, not what I need.
This is a flipped model of leadership- the leader is there to support what the team needs and what the customer needs, not the other way around.
Essential skills for servant leaders:
Empathy– If you can’t understand how others are feeling, you will have a hard time supporting others.
Humility– Thinking about what’s best for the organization, not what’s best for yourself.
Accountability– Holding each other accountable as a team. Teammates and leaders hold each other accountable. Are you serving the mission of the organization?
Collaboration– Working WITH your team and having regular conversations with your team about how ALL members can improve.
The biggest obstacle as a servant leader is your big ego!
You’re not serving yourself. You are in service to the organization, mission, and your customer.
Check out the podcast below with Dr. Jeff Kaplan and Raj Khera!