What are the best ways to build trust and collaboration as a servant leader?

1 Listen actively

One of the most important skills of a servant leader is listening actively to your team members. Active listening means paying attention to what they say, how they say it, and what they don't say. It also means asking open-ended questions, clarifying points, and summarizing key messages. By listening actively, you show that you care about their opinions, feelings, and needs, and that you are willing to learn from them. This builds trust and rapport, and encourages them to share their ideas and feedback.

2 Empathize genuinely

Another key skill of a servant leader is empathizing genuinely with your team members. Empathy means understanding and sharing their emotions, perspectives, and experiences, without judging or criticizing them. It also means acknowledging their strengths, challenges, and achievements, and expressing appreciation and support. By empathizing genuinely, you show that you respect their diversity, value their contributions, and care about their well-being. This builds loyalty and commitment, and motivates them to perform at their best.

3 Delegate wisely

A third skill of a servant leader is delegating wisely to your team members. Delegating means entrusting them with tasks, responsibilities, and authority, based on their skills, interests, and goals. It also means providing them with clear expectations, guidance, and feedback, and allowing them to make decisions and solve problems. By delegating wisely, you show that you trust their capabilities, encourage their growth, and empower their autonomy. This builds confidence and competence, and fosters innovation and creativity.

4 Collaborate effectively

A fourth skill of a servant leader is collaborating effectively with your team members. Collaborating means working together towards a shared vision, mission, and strategy, and leveraging each other's strengths, skills, and resources. It also means communicating openly, honestly, and respectfully, and resolving conflicts constructively and respectfully. By collaborating effectively, you show that you value their input, respect their differences, and support their success. This builds unity and cohesion, and enhances performance and quality.

5 Serve humbly

A fifth skill of a servant leader is serving humbly your team members. Serving means putting their needs, interests, and goals above your own, and helping them achieve their full potential. It also means modeling the values, behaviors, and attitudes that you expect from them, and admitting your mistakes and learning from them. By serving humbly, you show that you are not above them, but beside them, and that you are not perfect, but willing to improve. This builds credibility and influence, and inspires them to follow your example.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?