Reversing traditional perceptions of leadership
When we say that being a leader is the gift of serving others, we reverse the traditional perception of leadership as power or domination. Instead, we can emphasize that it is about caring for, supporting, and guiding others in ways that enable them to grow and achieve their goals.
What is servant leadership?
This concept is close to the idea of “servant leadership,” which implies that a leader should first and foremost serve his or her team or community.
In such a leadership model, the well-being of others is paramount, and success is measured primarily by how well a leader supports and uplifts those he or she leads.
Foundations of servant leadership
Authenticity, empathy, and a commitment to the well-being of others are the foundations of effective and sustainable leadership.
A leader who views his or her role in this way not only builds trust and loyalty within his or her team, but also creates an environment in which everyone has the opportunity to grow and fulfill their potential.
Challenges of servant leadership
While inspiring, servant leadership presents a number of challenges that can be difficult to overcome. These include:
⚖️ Striking a balance between serving and enforcement-the leader still has to make tough decisions, enforce rules, and sometimes challenge his or her team.
😰 High risk of burnout – focusing on helping others can lead to forgetting one’s own limits or needs.
🥶 Frequent lack of recognition – leaders may face a lack of support, especially in organizations or teams that value or are used to a more controlling and dominant leadership style.
🎯 Complexity of prioritization decisions – for example, when the needs of one person may conflict with the goals of the team or even the entire organization.
🤕 The possibility of being perceived as a “weak leader” – the emphasis on empathy, cooperation, and caring increases the risk that others will perceive this type of leader as “too soft” or “weak,” especially in work cultures or among people who value or grew up with an authoritarian approach.
The role of relationships in servant leadership
People-centered leadership is a beautiful but challenging model of collaboration. It requires great self-awareness, the ability to manage one’s emotions, and the ability to plan, prioritize, and maintain a balance between the needs of others and the goals of the organization.
It is also worth noting that this type of leadership is primarily embedded in a matrix of relationships. It is strongly linked to interactions between the leader and team members, partners, superiors, and other stakeholders. It must take into account various aspects of the relationship, with a strong emphasis on building trust, communication, and collaboration.
I agree with the idea of servant leadership, I try to be that kind of leader myself, but it is worth noting that the success of this style depends largely on the kind of people you have on board. People who don’t have enough knowledge, self-discipline, or accountability can quickly burn out a leader who is focused on helping others. There have been many times in my life when I have said enough is enough.
This style also requires a lot of respect from the people you work with. A company’s HR department needs to understand this type of leadership when hiring, so they don’t inadvertently bring in someone who becomes a Trojan horse.
I definitely agree with what you write about HR/People departments. It is good when the whole company lives such a supportive culture. However, if an organization doesn’t have that, there is a chance that such a culture can, to some extent, germinate from the bottom up as more and more such leaders emerge.
Great thoughts as always. I agree that servant leadership builds trust and loyalty, and a leader who can serve their team creates space for everyone to grow. I have only had one such leader in my life. A great rarity. Fortunately, I’m still working with him today, because I don’t want to change that completely. I just have to pay more attention to my own behavior, because if he really feels undervalued, that’s not good. Thank you very much.
Thank you!