Servant leadership is just fluff, right?

Have you ever heard of servant leadership, but dismissed it as just another feel-good, touchy-feely leadership style? This is what a friend of mine told me who works in a high-paced consulting company. He was under the impression that servant leadership was something he didn’t have time for.

He was surprised to learn that servant leadership is actually backed by research and real-world examples as a highly effective and sustainable leadership approach.

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

What is servant leadership about?

So, what is servant leadership all about? It’s a leadership style that puts the needs of team members before the needs of the leader. This may seem counterintuitive at first, but stay with me.

When leaders focus on serving their team and empowering them to take ownership of their work, they create a sense of trust and collaboration. This can lead to increased motivation, creativity, and job satisfaction.

And when team members are motivated, creative, and satisfied with their work, they are more likely to perform at their highest level.

When it comes to the organization as a whole, research has shown that companies with a higher proportion of servant leaders tend to have higher levels of customer satisfaction, employee engagement, and profitability.

Servant leadership gets really powerful once you combine it with psychological safety. Together, they create a positive and supportive work environment that promotes collaboration, creativity, and trust.

How to lead with servant leadership

1. Communicate openly and transparently: Open communication and transparency are key to building trust and fostering collaboration within the team. As a servant leader, it is important to keep team members informed and involved in decision-making processes.
2. Empower team members: Give team members the autonomy and support they need to take ownership of their work and make decisions. This can involve delegating tasks and responsibilities, providing mentorship and support, and offering opportunities for growth and development.
3. Foster a culture of trust: Trust is the foundation of servant leadership, and it is important to build trust within the team through your actions and words. Be transparent, consistent, and genuine in your interactions with team members.
4. Encourage collaboration and teamwork: Servant leaders should encourage collaboration and teamwork within the team, and create a safe and supportive environment that promotes open communication and idea-sharing.
5. Address conflicts and concerns: As a servant leader, it is important to address conflicts and concerns within the team in a timely and constructive manner. Listen to team members’ perspectives and work to resolve issues in a way that promotes trust and psychological safety.

By applying a servant leadership style, you can create a positive and supportive work environment that promotes collaboration, creativity, and trust. This ultimately leads to improved team performance and organizational success.

So, the next time you hear about servant leadership, don’t brush it off as just fluff. Give it a chance and see how it can benefit you, your team, and your organization.

Kilian Hughes is a manager and leadership coach in the field of User Experience (UX), building up and leading teams since 2016.