The Power of Servant Leadership: Why It's Time to Flip the Script
Andrew Nowak
Member Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches. Marshall Goldsmith Certified Leadership, Executive & Team Coach. Global Leadership Coach. Helping Leaders Become The Leaders They Would Follow. Visionary Leadership Coach.
In today's fast-paced, competitive world, it's easy to get caught up in the traditional view of leadership—command and control. But as we evolve, so too must our approach to leadership. True leadership isn’t about exerting authority; it's about empowering others to thrive.
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This is where Servant Leadership comes in. It’s a philosophy that flips the traditional leadership script, focusing not on what your team can do for you, but on how you can serve your team to foster growth, success, and innovation. ??
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As a leader, ask yourself: Are you empowering your team or simply managing them?
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Servant Leadership is a mindset shift that requires putting the development and well-being of your team at the heart of everything you do. When you focus on their success, yours naturally follows. ??
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But this transformation isn’t just the responsibility of the leader—organisational support is crucial. Stakeholders, are you creating an environment where servant leaders can thrive?
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Dear Leaders: Time for Reflection
Here are a few critical questions to consider in your leadership journey:
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1. Am I putting my team’s growth ahead of my own achievements?
?? Servant leadership is about developing others. Your success should come through their progress.
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2. How often do I recognise and celebrate my team’s contributions?
?? Regular recognition fuels engagement and loyalty. ??
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3. Am I creating opportunities for my team to grow and succeed?
领英推荐
?? It’s not enough to lead—you need to open doors, remove obstacles, and support continuous development.
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Dear Stakeholders: Are You Building Servant Leadership-Friendly Environments?
For servant leadership to truly transform an organisation, it needs the right culture and systems. Consider these questions:
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1. Are we supporting leaders who prioritise team growth and well-being?
?? Reward leaders who invest in their teams, not just the bottom line.
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2. How do we evaluate our leaders’ ability to serve and empower their teams?
?? Performance metrics should reflect leadership qualities, not just outputs.
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3. What structures are in place to foster a culture of Servant Leadership?
?? Ensure that your organisation’s framework supports this leadership model—whether through mentorship programs, leadership training, or inclusive decision-making processes.
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As Max DePree once said:
“The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.”
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The time has come to embrace this leadership style and create a work culture where everyone can thrive.
?? Let’s build a future where success is shared, and leadership means empowering others.
The Master Negotiator & Body Language Expert at The Master Negotiator
1 个月Andrew Nowak, I agree! I also believe there are hidden, what I call, spillover benefits to empowering others to thrive - it lies in the positive ripple effect that's created from such actions. Thank you for delivering these insights ... Greg
Member Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches. Marshall Goldsmith Certified Leadership, Executive & Team Coach. Global Leadership Coach. Helping Leaders Become The Leaders They Would Follow. Visionary Leadership Coach.
1 个月"Never underestimate the power of a great team and don't be afraid to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you." Unknown