Servant leadership is a leadership principle where a leader considers himself or herself a servant first.
Such leaders aspire to serve their team and the organisation first ahead of their own personal desires.
It is a selfless leadership style where a leader possesses a natural feeling to serve for the greater good of others.
Robert K. Greenleaf first discussed the philosophy in an essay called “The Servant as Leader,” which was first published in 1970.
He indicated that servant leaders in organisations provide support to their employees, allowing them to learn and grow through inclusive leadership, which employs their expertise and strategies to the fore.
Getting an Understanding of Servant Leadership
Service to others
The focus of servant leadership is on the fundamental desire to be of service to others as a leader.
Leaders put away their self-serving actions to assume the role of putting the needs of the team and the organisation.
This style of leadership is premised on encouraging team members to perform at their best.
In their interactions with team members, servant leaders emphasise and assume the role of a servant.
The team is bound to be successful since the leader serves the team by recognising and encouraging the team’s abilities to achieve organisational goals.
Work ethic between Leader and Team
An integrated work ethic culture points to the relationship that exists between individuals, organisations, and society.
It emphasises that individuals should be encouraged to remain steadfast to their character and personality in both their personal and professional activities.
Instill a sense of community In the Workpace
Servant leadership strives to build a sense of community in employees as a way to achieve success in meeting organisational objectives.
A community is a collection of individuals with common social, economic, and political interests living in one area or society.
It is therefore important to create an environment which brings together all the team members for the purpose of achieving organisational goals and objectives.
The servant leader is key in that process.
Power-sharing in decision making
By sharing the decision-making power vested in them, servant leaders cultivate servant leadership in others.
They are not mean and understand that leadership resides at different levels in an organisation.
The theory posits that the best way to achieve organisational success is to delegate power rather than hoard it.
Power-sharing is achieved through encouraging team members for them to exhibit abilities and participation while promoting an empowering environment in the organisation.
The actions create a well-motivated team that drives employees to work towards achieving organisational goals and objectives.
Servant leadership style is one type of leadership that accepts the capabilities of team members and their contribution to the overall success of the organisation.
Chiedza Kadare is an OD Practitioner. You can get in touch with her on WhatsApp/call +263 77 283 0986 or Email chiedza.kadare@gmail.com
Paul Nyausaru is an OD Practitioner and leadership coach. For all your OD interventions and leadership development training you can get in touch with him on WhatsApp/call +263774062756 or Email pnyausaru@gmail.com
