You want to lead your team with more empathy. How can you become a servant leader?

1 What is servant leadership?

Servant leadership is a leadership style that emphasizes the well-being and growth of the people you lead, rather than your own authority or power. Servant leaders put the needs of their team members first, and help them achieve their goals and potential. Servant leaders also foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and feedback, where everyone feels valued and respected. Servant leadership is not about being passive or submissive, but about being humble, attentive, and supportive.

2 Why does empathy matter for servant leaders?

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It is essential for servant leaders because it helps them to connect with their team members, to listen to their concerns and perspectives, and to respond with compassion and care. Empathy also helps servant leaders to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of their team members, and to tailor their support and guidance accordingly. Empathy also enables servant leaders to inspire their team members, by showing them that they care about their personal and professional growth, and by celebrating their achievements and contributions.

3 How can you develop empathy as a servant leader?

Developing empathy as a servant leader requires a conscious and continuous effort to practice certain habits and behaviors that can boost your emotional intelligence and awareness. To help you do this, ask open-ended questions to your team members, such as how they are feeling, what challenges they are facing, what they are passionate about, or what they need from you. As they are speaking, pay attention to their words, tone, body language, and emotions. Acknowledge their emotions and validate them; show that you care and that you are there to support them. When giving feedback, be honest, respectful, and specific. Focus on the behavior, not the person; offer suggestions instead of criticism. With these tips in mind, you can foster empathy as a servant leader and provide valuable insights for improving your team's performance.

4 How can you practice servant leadership in your daily work?

Practicing servant leadership in your daily work means applying the principles of empathy, service, and growth to your interactions and decisions. To do this, you need to share your vision and values with your team, delegate tasks and responsibilities, create a safe and supportive environment for collaboration, and recognize and appreciate your team members. This can help to create a sense of purpose and direction, foster a culture of ownership and accountability, build trust and rapport among team members, boost morale and motivation, and make them feel valued and respected.

5 What are the benefits of servant leadership?

Servant leadership can bring many benefits, not only for yourself as a leader, but also for your team, your organization, and your customers. For instance, it can increase the engagement and satisfaction of your team members, leading to more loyalty, productivity, and innovation. It can also improve the performance and results of your team, resulting in higher customer satisfaction and more revenue and growth for your organization. Additionally, servant leadership can enhance your reputation and influence as a leader by showing your empathy, service, and growth mindset. This can help you attract and retain talent, build relationships, and broaden your network and opportunities.

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?