Servant leadership is a leadership model based on the principle of serving others. Servant leaders put the needs of their team members first and focus on helping them grow and develop.
Characterized by their humility, empathy, and authentic care for the needs of others, servant leaders are also great listeners who have high emotional intelligence, which means they can lead with compassion while still being decisive. Servant leadership skills are essential in any industry or organization, and developing these skills can help you become a better leader in your personal and professional life.
Here are ten servant leadership characteristics and skills you can start honing today …
1. Servant Leaders Create a Positive, Productive Work Environment
When team members feel that their leader is genuinely interested in their well-being and cares about them as individuals, they are more likely to be productive and engaged at work. Fostering a positive work environment should be a goal for any leader.servant leadership skills can help create and maintain a supportive work environment that promotes creativity, productivity, and a strong sense of community.
2. Servant Leaders are More Effective at Delegating Tasks
Good delegation is essential for any leader, as it allows them to focus on the bigger picture and divvy out tasks that they may not have time to undertake. Servant leaders are particularly good at delegating tasks, as they understand the importance of empowering others.
3. Servant Leaders are Excellent Problem-Solvers
When a problem arises, a servant leader is quick to assess the situation, and take action accordingly. They are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty when needed. In fact, they often enjoy getting involved and taking on new challenges—even if they don’t have all the answers. Servant leaders are excellent problem-solvers and know how to navigate difficult situations with poise and grace.
4. Servant Leaders Have a Strong Desire to Help Others Grow and Develop
One of the defining characteristics of a servant leader is their desire to help others grow and develop. Servant leaders recognize that their team members are the foundation of success for any organization and commit to doing everything in their power to help their team members find new opportunities for growth within the company or even outside it. This may mean allowing someone to pursue a dream job elsewhere—or helping an employee work towards achieving certification within his/her field. This unique blend of empathy and support makes servant leaders truly exceptional mentors who are committed to the growth and development of their team members.
5. Servant Leaders are Great Listeners
One crucial aspect of being a good leader is listening. This means not only hearing what people have to say but also understanding their point of view. Servant leaders are great listeners because they genuinely care about the people they work with and want to understand their ideas and opinions. This environment creates a space for employees to share what they know and learn from one another in order to get the job done effectively together.
6. Servant Leaders are Great Connectors Who Know How to Build Relationships
Servant leaders are great connectors who know how to build relationships with others. They have a knack for networking and often develop strong personal connections with the people they meet—whether it’s their team members, clients, or suppliers. This helps them create trust and open communication, which is essential for any successful relationship—both personal and professional.
7. Servant Leadership Fosters Innovation and Creativity
Servant leadership is built upon a foundation of humility and honesty—values that can help to foster creativity by encouraging team members to express their ideas without the fear of judgment. This is the perfect incubation stage for innovation within an organization since servant leaders encourage creativity and new ideas, and give credit where it is due. Servant leadership skills set the tone for a culture that rewards innovation and can transform employees into leaders by encouraging them to take the initiative in decision-making impacting the business.
8. Servant Leadership Skills Encourage Organizational Loyalty
A recent study showed that employees whose managers demonstrate high emotional intelligence are 87% less likely to leave the organization than those whose leader’s emotional intelligence is low. Servant leadership skills can help you to create a high-performance team that stays together and is more invested in the company as a whole.
9. Servant Leaders are Better at Resolving Conflicts
Servant leadership is a great way to resolve conflict within the workplace because it emphasizes communication and understanding. Servant leaders are good at listening to both sides of a conflict and resolving it in a way that is beneficial for all parties involved. They also have the ability to build trust, which can help prevent future conflicts from happening. As a result, servant leadership can help improve relationships within an organization and resolve conflicts more effectively.
10. Developing Your Servant Leadership Skills Can Help You Become a Better Leader
Servant leadership is not only a great way to lead others, but it’s also a great way to develop yourself as a leader. Servant leaders are constantly learning and growing, which allows them to better understand the needs of their employees and organization. They’re also able to adapt more easily to changes, which is important in today’s rapidly changing world. Servant leadership can help you become a better leader by teaching you how to be compassionate, humble, and effective at achieving goals.
As you can see, there are many benefits to honing your servant leadership skills. Get started today!
