Reverential Leadership

People will forget what you said and what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou, a poet and memoirist, said this.

"As a leader, how do you make others feel?"

In last week’s Leadership Success Club session(my 1-year Leadership Development Program), we explored an intriguing and thought-provoking topic: "As a leader, how do you make others feel?"

One of the key takeaways from the discussion was a powerful concept shared by a program participant leader—the idea of Reverent Leadership. This type of leadership is not about instilling fear or demanding respect. It’s about earning genuine admiration, fostering trust, and inspiring others to follow you willingly and wholeheartedly.

Let’s dive deeper into what this means and how you can embrace reverential leadership in your role.

What Is Reverential Leadership?

Reverential Leadership is the ability to lead in a way that commands respect, not through fear, authority, or power, but through integrity, authenticity, and empathy. It’s about making others feel valued, empowered, and inspired while creating an environment where they can thrive.

Leaders who practice reverential leadership don’t intimidate or micromanage. Instead, they lead by example, displaying qualities such as humility, fairness, and compassion. They foster trust by aligning their words with actions and putting their team’s well-being and success above their ego.

Fear vs. Respect: The Leadership Choice

There’s a critical distinction between a leader who is feared and one who is respected:

1. Leaders who instill fear: Such leaders may see temporary compliance, but their teams operate in a state of anxiety, hesitation, and distrust. Fear may drive short-term results but will ultimately lead to disengagement, high attrition, and lack of innovation.
2. Leaders who earn respect: These leaders create an environment where people feel psychologically safe, motivated, and committed. Teams under such leaders are more likely to be engaged, proactive, and high-performing.

Ask yourself: Do you want your team to obey you because they fear the consequences, or do you want them to willingly follow you because they believe in your vision and values?

Practicing Reverential Leadership

Here are some actionable strategies to embody reverential leadership and make others feel respected, empowered, and motivated:

1. Lead by Example

• Model the behaviors you want to see in your team. Be consistent, fair, and ethical in your decisions.
• If you expect your team to meet deadlines, demonstrate punctuality and discipline in your own work.
• If you value transparency, communicate openly and honestly.

2. Cultivate Empathy

• Understand and acknowledge the challenges your team members face.
• Take the time to actively listen to their concerns and provide support.
• Remember, respect is earned by showing genuine care for others’ well-being.

3. Recognize and Value Contributions

• Acknowledge the efforts and achievements of your team members, no matter how small.
• Publicly appreciate their work and give credit where it’s due.
• When people feel seen and valued, they are more likely to respect and trust you.

4. Empower Your Team

• Trust your team to make decisions and solve problems. Micromanagement erodes trust and respect.
• Delegate tasks thoughtfully and provide them with the autonomy to execute their responsibilities.
• Empowerment fosters confidence, accountability, and mutual respect.

5. Be Approachable and Humble

• A reverential leader is accessible and willing to hear feedback, even if it’s critical.
• Admit when you’re wrong and take responsibility for mistakes. This demonstrates humility and earns respect.

6. Build a Safe Environment

• Create a culture where team members feel safe to express their ideas, even if they challenge the status quo.
• Encourage healthy debates and welcome diverse perspectives.
• Psychological safety leads to trust and innovation.

7. Align Words and Actions

• Nothing destroys respect faster than inconsistency between what a leader says and what they do.
• Be true to your word and follow through on commitments.

Learn to Lead with Reverence

Reverential Leadership doesn’t come naturally to everyone—it’s a skill that requires practice, reflection, and conscious effort. If you’re ready to develop the mindset and skills to inspire others and lead with respect, join my Leadership Success Club. The program is designed to help quiet, introverted professionals like me step into leadership roles and create meaningful, lasting impact.

Start your journey toward becoming the leader your team admires and respects. Let’s grow together!

?Johncey George is a certified leadership and life coach who focuses on helping introverted professionals step into leadership roles.

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