How can servant leadership principles improve cross-functional board of directors teams?

“Be slow to speak and quick to listen.” We often try to prove that we are the smartest one in the room by jumping in too soon, going on too long, or interrupting other, more diverse views that we probably really needed to hear. By taking a few moments to listen fully to the perspectives of others, we could then bring value by asking follow-up questions and weaving together the threads of those who went before us.

Effective listening not only strengthens the leader's connection with the team but also creates a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued. In the process of listening, servant leaders not only gain insights into individual team members but also tap into the collective intelligence of the group. This collaborative approach fosters innovation, problem-solving, and a sense of shared ownership, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and adaptable team. The transformative power of listening can underscore its role not just in leadership but in cultivating a culture of shared success.

All of the above is essential. Servant leadership also means listening to others without first making decisions, setting direction, or weighing in on what the outcome ‘should’ be. If the leader shares their opinion first, it can mute discussion; others may remain silent rather than share an opinion they perceive as disagreeing with the leader. By truly listening first, servant leaders establish an open and free discussion, and encourage others to share their thoughts, opinions, and knowledge, without a predetermined outcome. Adhering to this process consistently will also establish trust in the servant leader’s openness to the diverse opinions of the group.

Promote a culture of humility by framing questions that foster reflection. Ask individuals how they perceive challenges, encouraging them to take ownership of solutions. Emphasize the power of personal responsibility and its impact on team success. Appeal to the idea of "extreme ownership" by illustrating how individual contributions shape collective outcomes. Encourage open dialogue, valuing diverse perspectives. Use questions to guide aborted recorders toward realizing the influence they can have, aligning their actions with the team's goals. Inspire a sense of pride in collaborative achievements and the shared responsibility for success, fostering a culture of humility and accountability.

One thing I’ve learned is that active listening is a critical skill for servant leaders, involving a deep understanding of others' perspectives, feelings, and motivations. This skill fosters rapport, empathy, and respect, enabling leaders to effectively address team concerns and challenges. Furthermore, active listening facilitates the solicitation of valuable feedback and ideas, contributing to a culture of clear and constructive communication. By attentively listening, servant leaders play a crucial role in nurturing a culture of transparent dialogue and continuous learning within cross-functional teams, offering a clear and rational perspective to leadership.

Servant leadership isn't a soft touch; it's a powerful framework that fuels dynamic, effective teams. A boardroom buzzing with energy, ideas flowing freely, and decisions made swiftly—all due to the application of servant leadership principles. A servant leader on a board bridges departmental divides, prioritizing collaboration and fostering an environment where every voice is valued. Servant leadership injects vitality into cross-functional teams by promoting empathy and active listening. Servant leaders on boards empower team members, enabling them to flourish. By encouraging individual growth and providing support, they unleash the full potential of the team. We emphasize the responsible managing of resources for the greater good.

Stewardship requires confidence, yet comparatively minimal ego. It requires an assured mindset; the ability to influence others; and most importantly, the ability to listen between the lines to recognize and translate similarities/patterns into effective and tangible outcomes for the business. Stewardship takes conscious daily practice. Finding a mentor (or a few) and having mutual respect from colleagues allows one to learn from, mirror, and receive constructive yet supportive criticism will set the organization up for success.

Servant leaders practicing stewardship focus on efficient, effective, and ethical use of resources, processes, and systems. They are committed to evaluating the outcomes and impacts of the team's actions. This approach fosters accountability, transparency, and integrity, vital traits for leaders managing cross-functional teams and reporting to a board of directors. Stewardship in servant leadership isn't just about resource management; it's about nurturing a culture of mutual respect, shared goals, and collective responsibility. This holistic approach ensures that all stakeholders' needs are met and that the organization moves forward cohesively and ethically.

Principle 3 in servant leadership often revolves around fostering personal and professional growth within individuals. It emphasizes the leader's responsibility to support the development of their team members, helping them reach their full potential. This principle encourages a focus on the well-being and growth of others, creating an environment that nurtures continuous learning, skill enhancement, and personal advancement.

1. Growth comes from the growth of team mates 2. As servant leader - one needs to have growth mindset than anything 3. Seek for knowledge- ensure others are with you on the same page 4. Stop thinking about yourself- start thinking on community

We learn from good and bad experiences--and everything in between. When we receive all experiences as a gift, we get to receive a wealth of learning, compassion, resilience, empathy, and patience. Patience is key to growth. We must practice and model learning, compassion, resilience, empathy, and patience in ourselves before we can expect others to follow suit. Excellence, creativity, and agility will surely ensue when people acknowledge and thank their fears for trying to step in to protect them while creating a gentle, open space for their wiser selves to courageously take the lead, be bold, solve problems in news ways, and lead with inspiration.

El crecimiento personal es clave, y los miembros de una junta directiva deberían participar en procesos de desarrollo del liderazgo servicial. El acompa?amiento uno a uno con técnicas de coaching es esencial para identificar y abordar las brechas en sus habilidades de liderazgo. Esta transformación individual e interior conduce a resultados positivos en toda la organización.

Offering service means not expecting anything in return. An emptying of one's self. A great maxim to remember "I came to serve not to be served"

True leadership is influence, not authority. Your title means nothing to human beings who you have not cultivated a cordial collaborative culture with. Leadership is servitude, not entitlement. The true measure of success is building up your successor(s) and your legacy, not status. Please don't get to the "top" and forget about what will always matter...PEOPLE. You get no where alone, we will go further together.

Community Development is yet another aspect of servant leadership. Keeping the larger good, making sacrifices is not an easy quality as ego can come in the way. In current day corporate world, it is a fine balancing act where a leader needs to deliver on organizational goals and also take care of the interest of the team. Servant leaders radiate confidence and come across as self assured. They are also able to garner support very quickly for the common cause in direct and indirect power circles.

Servant leaders prioritize serving others and meeting their needs. In the context of a cross-functional board of directors, this means the leaders are attentive to the needs and concerns of each functional area represented on the board. By focusing on serving the organization and its members, servant leaders create an environment that encourages open communication, trust, and mutual support.

1. Service comes from understanding of team members 2. Service is a mindset 3. To give has more happiness than to receive

Servant leaders promote a collaborative mindset, emphasizing the importance of working together toward common goals. This is particularly valuable in cross-functional teams where collaboration across diverse functions is essential for success. By fostering a collaborative culture, servant leaders encourage board members to share resources, knowledge, and expertise, leading to more informed decision-making.

Too many words, to sum it up, as a Release Train Engineer and Agile Coach, servant leadership involves facilitating and supporting Agile teams, empowering team members, encouraging collaboration and self-organization, and focusing on the growth and well-being of the team members to enhance overall productivity, job satisfaction and success.

Servant Leadership should also be built on Effective Persuasion skills, Big Picture thinking and Emotional Intelligence. MK Gandhi is a good example from history whom we know was able to persuade people in power and as well as country men in the freedom struggle.