Contemporary Leadership Theories: Servant Leadership

This week’s discussion is around contemporary leadership theories. We are tasked with researching and presenting a contemporary theory of our choice, so I’ve chosen servant leadership. I had almost decided to research virtual teams leadership, because I’ve spent the last 13 years working as part of a virtual team. However, servant leadership has always resonated with me, because it’s what I try to practice. Exploring this theory further has provided me with more insight into the theory and guidance on how I can continue to grow as a leader.

Robert K. Greenleaf

Who developed servant leadership?

Servant leadership theory was developed by Robert K. Greenleaf in the 1970s while he worked as a management expert and consultant at AT&T. He introduced the concept of servant leadership in his essay "The Servant as Leader," and expanded on it in his book, "Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness".

What purpose does it serve?

The purpose of servant leadership is to replace the traditional, top-down hierarchy with an idea emphasizing a leader's role as a servant to others instead. 

Servant leadership is meant to create a positive and supportive culture that fosters collaboration, empowerment, and the well-being of individuals. Organizations incorporating his leadership style are often associated with increased employee satisfaction, engagement, and overall organizational effectiveness.

This theory focuses on several key principles, including:

Servant-first mindset: The leader focuses first and foremost on serving the needs of others, whether they are team members, employees, or the community.

Empathy: Servant leaders should work to understand and empathize with the perspectives and feelings of others. They should practice active listening and putting themselves in others' shoes.

Foresight: They should have the ability to anticipate future trends and consequences, which helps in making informed decisions that will benefit the well-being of the team.

Awareness: These leaders are self-aware and socially aware, recognizing their strengths and weaknesses of their team members. They should also realize the impact of their decisions on others.

Persuasion, not coercion: Instead of relying on formal authority (coercion), servant leaders aim to persuade and inspire others to achieve their best potential.

Conceptualization: Servant leaders have clear sight of the organizations’ vision and are able to think beyond day-to-day tasks, focusing their team towards long-term goals.

Stewardship: Leaders must act as stewards of the organization's resources, ensuring they are used for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Commitment to the growth of others: A servant leader is committed to the personal and professional growth of their team members. They will take on coaching and mentorship roles on top of their leadership role to help team members develop their full potential.

A Well-Known Servant Leader

Herb Kelleher was the co-founder and former CEO of Southwest Airlines. He was known for his charismatic leadership style, commitment to employees, and emphasis on creating a positive corporate culture. Kelleher believed in putting employees first, recognizing their importance in delivering excellent customer service.

Servant Leadership Visualization

The servant leader is pointing his team towards the goal and providing them what they need to help them reach it. The rope along with each of the team members weight is heavy on the servant leader’s arms, but they will not drop the rope. They will make sure their team hits the target.