Building A Culture Of Service: A Look At The Qualities Of An Effective Servant Leader

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Servant leadership is a leadership approach that prioritises the needs and development of followers by serving and supporting them.

The idea is that by serving and empowering others, the leader will create a more motivated, productive and engaged team.

The concept of servant leadership was first introduced by Robert Greenleaf in his 1970 essay; "The Servant as Leader".

According to Greenleaf, servant leaders as those who prioritise being a servant first, and who understand first-hand the nature of servanthood.

In today's fast-paced, ever-changing world, organisations are grappling with more intricate challenges than ever before, and the conventional top-down method of leadership is no longer adequate to meet these challenges.

Servant leadership provides a way for organisations to adapt and be more successful by fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation.

Servant leaders are able to create a work environment that is empowering, supportive, and fosters growth. This approach leads to a culture of engagement, where employees feel motivated and valued to give their best performance.

Additionally, Servant Leadership is also important in today's world because it promotes ethical and moral values in leadership which is very important for the betterment of society.

In Matthew 20:25–27, speaking about servant leadership, Jesus said, You?know?that?the?rulers?of?the?Gentiles?lord?it?over?them,?and?those?who?are great?exercise?authority?over?them.?

Yet?it?shall?not?be?so?among?you;?but?whoever?desires?to?become?great?among you,?let?him?be?your?servant.?

And?whoever?desires?to?be?first?among?you,?let?him?be?your?slave.

Servant leaders possess a unique set of qualities that allow them to effectively lead and serve others. They are:

1. Humility:

Leaders who are humble are open to the perspective of others, feedback and criticism, and also, admit their mistakes.

They understand that their success is directly tied to the success of those they lead, thereby making the well-being and development of their team a priority. They are able to focus on the needs of the group and not their personal gain.

Simply put, humility means to abandon any focus on position and privilege and to dedicate oneself to service.

2. Empathy:

Empathy is the ability to put oneself in another person's shoes and to understand their feelings and perspectives.

Leaders who lead with empathy easily build trust, foster positive relationships with their followers, communicate effectively, and make decisions that consider the needs of all parties involved.

Empathetic leaders are able to establish a deeper connection with their team members by understanding their emotions and motivations, thus fostering a positive and encouraging work atmosphere.

Most of all, they are properly equipped to understand the needs of customers, stakeholders, and members of the community, thus enabling them to make more informed decisions and establish a more inclusive and fair organization.

3. Responsibility:

The ability to take ownership of actions and decisions is one of the characteristics of a servant leader, and this is what responsibility is all about.

A servant leader that is responsible is accountable for his/her actions, and also, is willing to take responsibility for the consequences of their decisions, both positive and negative.

They demonstrate a willingness to acknowledge their mistakes and take the necessary steps to correct them.

This is very important because when leaders take responsibility for their actions, it promotes a culture of accountability and ownership within the organisation which in turn leads to better outcomes.

4. Selflessness:

A selfless servant leader prioritises others, and makes choices that benefit the group rather than themselves by focusing on serving the needs of others.

They lead by example, always putting the needs of the team and organisation before their own.

These leaders understand that their duty is to serve others and that the achievement of the group is closely linked to their own success.

They are capable of prioritising the needs of the group, even if it entails personal discomfort or inconvenience.

This mindset creates an environment of trust and cooperation within an organisation, resulting in the overall success of the team.

5. Integrity:

A leader with integrity is consistent in their words and actions, adheres to a strong code of ethics, and always acts in an ethical and moral manner.

They are transparent and consistent in their communication and are reliable in following through on their commitments.

This high level of commitment to integrity and consistency establishes trust among followers because they know that their leader will always conduct himself/herself in an ethical manner.

The leader's integrity also sets an example for the rest of the organisation, thereby fostering a culture of honesty and trust within the team and this will ultimately lead to a more effective and efficient organization as employees trust and believe in their leader.

6. Growth Mindset:

A leader with a growth mindset is open to new ideas, embraces challenges and is always looking for ways to learn and grow.

They have a strong desire to improve themselves, their leadership and the organisation they lead.

Servant leaders with a growth mindset are always seeking new knowledge, learning from their experiences, and accepting feedback to enhance themselves and their leadership abilities.

They are also open to new ideas and view challenges as opportunities for development.

This mindset helps them stay relevant, adjust to change, and be better prepared to guide their team and organisation to achieve success.

They also promote this approach among their team members, creating a culture of ongoing learning, advancement, and growth. This results in a more creative and efficient organisation that is better equipped for long-term success.

7. Vision:

A leader with vision is able to articulate a compelling and achievable vision for the organisation, and they inspire and motivate their followers to work towards that vision.

They see beyond the present and are able to anticipate future opportunities and challenges and make strategic decisions that align with the organisation's vision.

This mindset inspires a sense of purpose and direction within a team thereby resulting in increased engagement and productivity.

Also, having a clear and defined vision for the future helps to keep the organisation aligned and focused on achieving long-term objectives.

The qualities highlighted in today's article are essential for effective leadership in today's world and by leading with a servant leader's mindset, you can create a more positive, productive and successful team.

Always have it at the back of your mind that it is not about being the leader; it is about serving the people you lead.

Thank you for your time.

I pray that your needs will be supplied today according to the riches of God in Jesus name. Amen!

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