Christy Tennant Krispin, ACC

Recently, I had the opportunity to go through a leadership training curriculum in preparation for some group coaching I’ll be doing with some new clients this month. The material is centered on the idea of “servant leadership,” and it has been so helpful for me as a leader to engage with these ideas.

One thing in particular that has stuck with me is the idea that, as leaders, we are always either serving or self-serving. This is true wherever we lead, whether in our homes, where we may be leading our children, or in church, where we may be leading a staff or team of volunteers, or in a corporate setting, where we may be leading a set of direct-reports.

I want to share a few thoughts I’ve had as I’ve been working through it and preparing to lead these group coaching sessions in the coming weeks.

Albert Einstein famously said, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” This is applicable to anyone, but it is especially relevant to leadership. To be an effective leader, it’s important not to think primarily about what you can get from those you lead, but rather what you can give to them. This reflects a mindset of service and contribution.

Here are some practical implications for transitioning from a traditional leadership approach to a servant leadership approach.

Leaders need to shift their mindset from self-centered ambition to a more outward-focused perspective. Instead of solely pursuing personal achievements, leaders should concentrate on making a positive impact on others. According to the Robert E. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, “A servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the ‘top of the pyramid,’ servant leadership is different. The servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible.” Borrowing from Einstein, this begins by seeking to create value for your team, organization, and stakeholders, which involves understanding their needs, supporting their growth, and finding ways to contribute to their success and well-being.

Focusing on relationships is a great way to better understand how to create value for your team. Creating opportunities for relationships helps people feel seen, valued, respected, and supported, which will lead to them feeling more engaged, motivated, and committed to their work. Relationships also naturally encourage collaboration! Through fostering open communication, seeking diverse perspectives, and promoting teamwork, leaders cultivate an environment of collaboration, allowing for the generation of innovative ideas and solutions, which benefits not only the team, but the company at large.

Leaders who prioritize adding value to those they lead also recognize the importance of continuous learning and development. They generously encourage their team members to acquire new skills, share knowledge, and embrace growth opportunities. This fosters a culture of learning and improvement and expands the possibility of making a meaningful difference for the organization. Such a leader aims to positively impact individuals, teams, and communities, leaving a lasting legacy that goes beyond personal achievements.

This is not to say that servant leadership is not without its challenges. Better Up offers some insights on the pros and cons of servant leadership here. But in the end, if we are willing to do the work and take the time to take a servant leadership approach, we will end up not just “managing employees,” but “developing people”—people who will go on to lead others and contribute to a legacy of holistic flourishing for not just the individuals within the company, but the company as a whole.

Coaching Question:

What’s one thing you can do today to embody a servant leadership approach?

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

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Christy Tennant Krispin (ACC) is a professional coach helping people lead more effectively, work more efficiently, and live more joyfully. Schedule a free consultation with Christy here.