Why Serving Others Wins

I once worked under a manager who believed leadership was about power. He controlled every decision, rarely asked for input, and focused on meeting quotas rather than developing his team. Working for him felt like walking on eggshells—everyone did what was necessary to avoid trouble, but there was no real motivation or passion.

A few years later, I had a completely different experience. My new boss saw leadership as service. He listened, encouraged, and genuinely cared about our growth. Instead of micromanaging, he empowered us to take ownership of our work. The difference was night and day—not only did our team perform better, but we actually enjoyed coming to work.

This contrast between traditional leadership and servant leadership is something I’ve seen play out repeatedly in my career. The evidence is clear: leaders who serve their people create stronger, more effective teams than those who focus only on authority.

From my own experience and countless examples in business, servant leadership consistently outperforms traditional leadership. Here’s why:

1. Higher Employee Engagement

When employees feel valued and heard, they are more invested in their work. A Gallup study found that companies with high employee engagement are 21% more profitable.

2. Better Team Collaboration

Servant leaders foster an environment of trust and teamwork. Instead of competing against each other, employees work together because they know their leader supports them.

3. Increased Innovation and Creativity

When employees aren’t afraid of making mistakes, they take more risks and think outside the box. Servant leaders create a safe space for ideas, leading to greater innovation.

4. Lower Turnover and Happier Employees

Servant leadership leads to loyal employees. People don’t just work for a paycheck—they stay because they feel respected and supported.

How to Become a Servant Leader

If you want to lead by serving others, start with these steps:

• Listen more than you talk. Employees need to feel heard. Ask questions, seek feedback, and act on it.
• Empower your team. Give people autonomy and trust them to make decisions.
• Encourage growth. Help employees develop new skills and advance in their careers.
• Lead with humility. Admit mistakes, be open to learning, and put others before yourself.
• Create a supportive culture. Make sure employees feel safe, valued, and appreciated.

The Bottom Line

Traditional leadership relies on power; servant leadership relies on people. Time and time again, I’ve seen the difference firsthand—leaders who prioritize service build stronger, happier, and more successful teams.

If you want to win as a leader, don’t focus on being in charge. Focus on lifting others up. That’s the kind of leadership that lasts.