In business, because time is fast-paced in this competitive world, companies are always seeking the most effective leadership styles for a positive drive forward. While many organizations focus on authoritative or democratic approaches to leadership, much remains overlooked, and one of the largest impacts on company success seems to be servant leadership.
Servant leadership is an approach whose philosophy bases the leader on serving one’s team and organization rather than attaining power or personal gains. This type of approach gives emphasis to the development of employees and their well-being, thereby building a trusted environment of cooperation and empowering capabilities.
Benefits of Servant Leadership
Servant leadership had a significant positive effect on the various performance aspects of an organization. In 2019, the University of Illinois at Chicago study found that servant leadership was positively related to employee engagement, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. The Journal of Business Ethics published in 2020 a study indicating that servant leadership had a positive relationship with higher levels of creativity and innovation in employees.
Servant leadership is important because it creates an environment in the workplace. Leaders who put the needs of their team at the forefront are empowering them with a great sense of value and support. It is known to increase job satisfaction and potentially reduce turnover and enhance well-being.
Servant Leadership in Action
One of the companies buying into the power of servant leadership is Zappos, an online shoe and clothing retailer which stands out for its tops service. Zappos highly values building positive company culture and it does it with strong heart and core servant leadership. The company’s CEO, Tony Hsieh, has been vociferous in his endorsement of servant leadership. He says, “Our number one priority is company culture. Our whole belief is that if you get the culture right, most of the other stuff like delivering great customer service or building a long-term, enduring brand will just happen naturally on its own.”
Zappos’s servant leadership is paying off because the company has been among the best companies to work for with a very high retention of workers. In 2021, Fortune magazine ranked Zappos as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For.”
Servant Leadership in Practice
Benefits of servant leadership are obvious, yet effective implementation can be challenging. A servant leader should definitely change his or her mindset from the traditional top-down leadership style, putting the team’s needs first. Here are key steps toward implementing servant leadership:
Lead by example: Servant leaders walk the talk. They must exemplify what they expect their employees to reflect and practice at work, which includes empathy, humility, and growth.
Empower your team: Servant leaders empower your team by allowing it to have as much autonomy and support as that team needs to function. Servant leaders believe in the abilities of their workers and allow them to make decisions and own their work.
Focus development: Servant leaders are concerned with the development and growth of their subordinates. They coach, mentor, learn, and promote one another.
Foster collaboration: The servant leader provides a climate that is full of trust and collaboration, making workers feel comfortable to express ideas and work together towards achieving objectives.
The success of a servant leader is measured through the engagement of employees, job satisfaction, and other key performance indicators. They derive this information to improve their leadership skills and, subsequently, the work environment for the team.
Conclusion
In summary, servant leadership is an effective approach by which organizations can foster an excellent work environment, drive employee engagement and innovation, and gain greater success. It is not one of the more recognizable leadership styles, but it is one that companies can no longer afford to ignore; by embracing the principles of servant leadership and putting their team first, leaders unlock the full potential of their organization and create enduring impact on employees and the business at large.
