8 Characteristics of Servant Leadership in 2024 (Lessons from the UAE)

Even in the cut-throat world of business, traditional authoritarianism has been part of our defense mechanism. It can be particularly helpful in environments where clear direction, quick decision-making, and structured or uniformed working patterns are required. As we know, it can also ruin relationships and keep people from doing what they are in the organization to do.

In the contemporary business scenario, where ethics, people-centric zeal, and environmental sustainability are outshining everything else, leadership models have gone under the scanner. Nowadays, 'top-down' authoritarian models tend to be outdated and are being replaced by more 'bottom-up,' empathetic ways of working. One model that stands out is Servant Leadership.

At its core, servant leadership turns the traditional power hierarchy upside down. In 1970, retired AT&T executive Robert K. Greenleaf coined the term "servant leader" in the context of business. Some of the basic principles he defined were: empathy, listening, stewardship, commitment to the growth of others, and flexibility.

But the idea of leading by serving has been around for thousands of years, deeply rooted in cultures and traditions long before it became a formal concept.

In the United Arab Emirates the original Bedouin leaders exemplified servant leadership through their commitment to their tribes. These leaders prioritized the well-being of their people, acting as protectors and providers, ensuring that the needs of the community were met before their own. Their leadership wasn’t about power or authority; it was about service, care, and the collective good. They fostered a sense of unity and resilience, traits that remain at the heart of Emirati leadership today.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of our nation, and always considered a man of the people, was a modern embodiment of this ethos, with his dedication to the welfare of the Emirati people and his vision of sustainable progress grounded in deep cultural values of service and care for future generations.

Key Characteristics of Servant Leaders

1. People First: Servant leaders prioritize the needs of others, fostering a collaborative environment aimed at mutual success rather than personal gain.
2. They Lead with Moral Authority & Humility: Leading by example encourages a culture of respect. Establishing quality standards, accepting and delegating responsibility, recognizing contributions, and acknowledging their own mistakes fosters accountability.
3. Empathy: They possess a strong sense of empathy, allowing them to understand and share the feelings of others. Demonstrating empathy involves actively listening to team members’ perspectives and building emotional connections.
4. Vision & Growth Orientation: Servant leaders are deeply committed to the personal and professional growth of their team members, investing in their development without seeking recognition. Having a strong vision and mission is just as important as putting people first.
5. Empowerment & Knowledge Sharing: The mission of servant leaders is to empower employees by sharing knowledge, providing insights, and offering resources for learning and growth.
6. Trust Building: Servant leaders cultivate trust through integrity and by consistently following through on commitments. They express genuine appreciation for their team members, recognizing both their contributions and personal qualities.
7. Courage: They demonstrate the courage to have difficult conversations and make tough decisions, holding themselves and others accountable when necessary.
8. Flexibility: They adapt their leadership style to meet the varying needs of their team, offering guidance, support, or hands-on assistance depending on the situation.

Bonus: Persuasion

As a bonus, I will give you a 9th characteristic: Persuasion. A servant leader does not abuse their position to force others to follow their vision but instead persuades by inspiring and demonstrating how the vision benefits everyone involved. Through persuasion, a servant leader builds trust and fosters genuine commitment, empowering people to embrace change not out of obligation, but out of shared purpose and belief in the greater good.

Servant Leadership in Action: From Business to Nation-Building

Servant leadership is not confined to boardrooms or corporate structures. It can transcend organizations to reach and influence entire societies. Residents of the UAE see this vividly in the leadership style of the UAE’s President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. His leadership approach is characterized by a deep commitment to the well-being of his people, much like the Bedouin leaders who came before him.

Through initiatives that prioritize education, health, sustainability, and national unity, UAE ruler embodies the principles of servant leadership on a grand scale. His focus is not on personal accolades but on building a nation that is resilient, forward-thinking, and compassionate.

This reflects the servant leader's ethos—putting people first, building trust, and creating an environment where everyone can flourish.

Another example is His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Through his many visionary initiatives, such as the Dubai Foundation, Sheikh Mohammed has shown a deep commitment to empowering people, placing service at the heart of his leadership, stimulating innovation, and building a sustainable future.

UAE leaders are role models and a living manifesto that servant leadership not only benefits the now but secures and sustains its people of today as well for tomorrow. The servant leader does not just let an organization or nation; they leave a lasting legacy, one that motivates all who come after them and helps maintain a future in love, unity, purpose.

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A Legacy of Lasting Change

For servant leaders, it's not about making a quick buck; it's all about planting the seeds of change, that will last forever; a revolutionary transformation. Servant leaders create organizations that are aligned in shared purpose and vision, adaptable to change and supportive of development over the long term for employees. This is how they make sure their leadership echoes into the future.

In the same way, UAE leadership exemplifies this philosophy in their leadership. Through an steadfast dedication to the well-being and advancement of the people (nationals and residents alike), the government is a living example of how servant leadership impacts both the present and the future, laying the foundation for generations to come.

The servant leader does not just guide an organization or nation; a Servant Leader creates a legacy that endures, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps and continue building a future grounded in compassion, unity, and shared purpose. The worth is not measured by their position of authority but by the legacy they build.

To sum up, Servant Leaders build communities that endure the test of time by leading with empathy, humility, and focus on the larger good. This kind of leadership not only helps organizations and nations to succeed, but also fosters stability and sustainable growth.

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About the author

Almudena Berzosa is a seasoned executive and an academic researcher with over 20 years of global leadership experience, having held several C-level roles and Board mandates. Her career spans various industries, including pharma, chemicals, FMCG, and technology, with notable tenures at Johnson & Johnson, Syngenta Crop Protection, and Kraft Foods. Currently, she serves as the UAE Chair for the Philanthropy Wing of G100 and chairs the advisory board for Ritsh.

Expert in Change, Transformation and Leadership Development. Pursuing her doctorate, Almudena focuses her academic research on the positive impact and legacy of business and government leaders in the UAE, a country with which she has a deep and special connection. She is a philanthropist, an author, a public speaker and multi-award winner. She holds an MBA, MPhil, MSc in Psychology, and MSc in Pharma Addictions. Fluent in Spanish, English, Italian, and German, she is based in Dubai and determined to learn Arabic (wish her luck).

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