In the animal kingdom when people think of a servant leader often times the mighty lion comes to mind. In this regard many see this as analogous to Mufasa from “The Lion King” who provided stability, wisdom and guidance for his tribe. The reality is that this fictionalized account is just that, fiction. The lion for all its majesty is a very solitary and isolated figure, relying on the lioness to do the hunting and then enjoying the bounty of the efforts of others before anyone else can partake of the meal. The lion counts and depends on the work of others to provide for its needs without much given in return.
When I think of a servant leader, the noble geese in its flying “V” formation or even the humble cow that sacrifices daily for its calves, brings to mind a more palatable view of the notion of a servant leader. Now you may be saying, that’s all fine and good but you’re talking about animals, so what does this mean on a practical level relative to the human existence? I’m glad you asked.
To get at a concise answer let me start by differentiating leadership from the term leader and then move onto defining the role and attributes of a servant. Leadership is what we do. We should expect every member of our team to accept leadership responsibilities in the execution of their roles and responsibilities regardless of their level in the organization. A leader, on the other hand, relates to who you are most consistently. It’s not a one-time thing, it’s an all-the-time opportunity and it’s not dependent on your position, title or time within an organization. Aristotle, the Greek philosopher said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” This quote gets to a central issue in being a servant leader, which is consistency. Anybody can do anything once and that is where leadership comes into play. However, doing something once doesn’t make you a success. A leader does things repeatedly, consistently and at a high level.
Moving on, a servant, in a broad general sense is defined as a person who performs duties for others. I prefer a much more specific and faith-based approach to servant that speaks to a devoted and helpful supporter and is a position of honor.
A servant leader is a devoted supporter who delights in providing the conditions for the success of others above their own desires. Additionally, a servant leader realizes they cannot leave themselves out of the process but they clearly understand an old axiom: This world isn’t about you, it never has been and it never will be. Rather it’s always about the other and in doing for the other we often get to bask in the reflected light of knowing we contributed to a job well done.
Habits of the Servant Leader
If you agree with the premise—or at least see the reasoning behind it—the next area to examine are the habits of an effective servant leader.
When it comes to the members of your team and how they connect with each other and all your stakeholders, these areas are essential to the overall health and success in creating an environment where people seek you out for the manner in which you include them and make them feel.
Empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of another
Emotional Intelligence—the ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others
Effective Decision Making—the process through which alternatives are identified and selected on a timely basis and then managed through implementation to achieve identified objectives
Engagement—having one’s full attention
Encouragement—the action of giving someone support, confidence or hope
Encompassing the Whole—the process of looking at issues in a holistic manner
Enthusiasm—inspired, realistic and sincere enjoyment
Egoless—not having an inflated view of one’s self
Equal—being the same as another in status and/or quality
Embracing Ease—being at peace with one’s self and others
As you continue on your personal and organization journey to achieve the tenants of being a servant leader, I hope that you will refer to the messages I have shared with you and that you will build upon them through your own experiences. In closing, consider this quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., someone who epitomizes being a servant leader: “Anyone can be great because any one can serve.”
Julius E. Rhodes, SPHR, is the founder and principal of the mpr group, a human resources and management professional services firm located in Chicago, Ill. He is the author of the book and workbook “BRAND: YOU Personal Branding for Success in Life and Business.” He can be reached at [email protected] or 773-548-8037 and follow him on Twitter: @jerhodes42.