Servant Leadership
Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy in which the leader’s primary goal is to serve others — especially their team or community — rather than seeking power, control, or personal gain.
Instead of the traditional top-down leadership model, servant leaders put the needs of others first and help people develop and perform at their best.
Core Characteristics of Servant Leadership
According to Robert K. Greenleaf, who coined the term in the 1970s, servant leadership includes traits like:
Listening – Truly hearing others with empathy and without judgment
Empathy – Understanding and sharing the feelings of others
Healing – Supporting emotional well-being and fostering a healthy work culture
Awareness – Being self-aware and aware of the needs of others
Persuasion – Influencing others through trust, not authority
Conceptualization – Thinking beyond day-to-day tasks to see the bigger picture
Foresight – Learning from the past, understanding the present, and predicting the future
Stewardship – Taking responsibility for the role of leader as a caretaker
Commitment to the growth of people – Helping others learn, grow, and reach their potential
Building community – Fostering a sense of belonging and teamwork
In Practice:
A servant leader might:
Ask, “How can I support you?” instead of giving orders
Share power and decision-making
Encourage team collaboration over individual competition
Mentor and develop future leaders
Why It Matters:
Servant leadership tends to create:
Higher employee engagement and satisfaction
Stronger trust and loyalty
A more ethical, people-centered workplace culture