How can you be a servant leader?

2 Empathize genuinely

Another essential trait of a servant leader is the capacity to empathize genuinely with others, especially with those who are facing challenges, difficulties, or conflicts. Empathizing genuinely means putting yourself in their shoes, understanding their feelings, emotions, and motivations, and acknowledging their experiences, without pitying, patronizing, or minimizing them. By empathizing genuinely, you can build rapport, trust, and loyalty, as well as support, comfort, and encourage your followers.

3 Serve humbly

A core principle of servant leadership is to serve humbly, rather than to seek power, status, or recognition. Serving humbly means putting the needs, interests, and goals of others before your own, without expecting anything in return, without boasting or bragging, and without taking credit or blame. By serving humbly, you can demonstrate integrity, honesty, and humility, as well as inspire, motivate, and influence your followers.

4 Grow others

A major responsibility of a servant leader is to grow others, rather than to control or micromanage them. Growing others means providing them with opportunities, resources, and guidance to learn, develop, and improve their skills, abilities, and potential, without limiting or restricting them. By growing others, you can foster a culture of learning, growth, and innovation, as well as enhance the performance, productivity, and satisfaction of your followers.

5 Collaborate effectively

A vital skill of a servant leader is to collaborate effectively with others, rather than to compete or dominate them. Collaborating effectively means working with others towards a common vision, goal, or purpose, without imposing your own agenda or preferences, without creating conflicts or silos, and without compromising quality or standards. By collaborating effectively, you can leverage the diversity, creativity, and synergy of your followers, as well as achieve better results, outcomes, and impact.

6 Lead by example

A final practice of a servant leader is to lead by example, rather than to dictate or command. Leading by example means modeling the behaviors, values, and principles that you expect from others, without being inconsistent or hypocritical. By leading by example, you can establish credibility, authority, and respect, as well as set the tone, direction, and culture of your organization.

7 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?