Servant leadership is a hot topic in the business world today. And for good reason—when leaders put the needs of their team first, great things can happen. Check out these 23 inspiring servant leadership quotes that will motivate you to lead with compassion and humility. From Mahatma Gandhi to Sheryl Sandberg to Michelle Obama, these leaders understand the principles of servant leadership.
- “Trust is earned in the smallest of moments. It is earned not through heroic deeds, or even highly visible actions, but through paying attention, listening, and gestures of genuine care and connection.” ~ Brené Brown
- “Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.” ~Simon Sinek
- “Serving people means growing their capacity and implies that everyone can contribute.” ~Juana Bordas
- “Servant leadership is all about making the goals clear, and then rolling your sleeves up and doing whatever it takes to help people win.” ~Ken Blanchard
- “Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” ~Michelle Obama
- “A leader … is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.” ~Nelson Mandela
- “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” ~Sheryl Sandberg
- “As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” ~Bill Gates
- “We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt
- “The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” ~Jim Rohn
- “A noble leader answers not the trumpet call of self promotion, but to the hushed whispers of necessity.” ~Mollie Marti
- “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ~Mahatma Gandhi
- “You should never let your fears prevent you from doing what you know is right.” ~Aung San Suu Kyi
- “Servant leadership always empathizes, always accepts the person, but sometimes refuses to accept some fo the person’s effort or performance as good enough.” ~Robert K. Greenleaf
- “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are an excellent leader.” ~Dolly Parton
- “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
- “As a leader, it’s a major responsibility on your shoulders to practice the behavior you want others to follow.” ~Himanshu Bhatia
- “True leadership is servanthood. Put the interests of others at the center of your decisions.” ~Dave Ramsey
- “I don’t go by the rule book. I lead from the heart, not the head.” ~Princess Diana
- “The servant leader is servant first … It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. The conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead … The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant—first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served.” ~Robert K. Greenleaf
- “Success is about leaving a legacy of generosity and kindness rather than a trail of destruction.” ~Crystal Eisinger
- “If you want to govern the people, you must place yourself below them. If you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow them.” ~Lao Tzu
- “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou
As a female entrepreneur, it is crucial to stay focused on your goals and remember why you started your business in the first place. While there will be ups and downs along the way, it’s important to remember to lead with your heart and stay humble. We hope these 23 inspirational quotes encourage you to hone your servant leadership style and keep you motivated on your entrepreneurial journey!
