SERVANT LEADERSHIP STYLE|ASSESS YOURSELF AS ONE|

Servant Leadership is one of the best styles from ancient times. If we look at the best of leaders in our scripture, they all believed in service rather than autocracy. Dealing with complex dilemmas within and outside the organization is best addressed by a leadership that is willing to serve rather than dictate. Though servant leadership sounds like an oxymoron, it serves the purpose of being a leader.

This leadership style has been best exemplified by all our spiritual leaders like Jesus, Buddha, Krishna…servant-leadership dimensions are present in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Taoism. Most of our global leaders like Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela are all amazing examples of servant leadership and its far-reaching impact.

A servant leader focuses on contributions rather than personal gains, and eventually facilitates more success and thriving capabilities in others. They stay out of the center of attraction pedestal and encourage the team to take the stage. Their approach creates high employee loyalty and a positive aura in the organization. They focus on how they can applaud the right practices rather than appraisal -carrot and stick game. Servant Leadership has many advantages that elevate the employees and thereby the organization.

Take the quick assessment below to evaluate yourself as a Servant Leader Proponent. You can score yourself on a scale of 1-5 (1being lowest and 5 being highest) on how often you practice the following thereby ascertaining your score –

1. When things go wrong you try to understand the issues rather than blaming team members. You prioritize the team’s morale and motivation rather than penalizing people.
2. You like facilitating the growth and visibility of your team, rather than highlighting your accomplishments at all times.
3. You engage and empower your team members to make decisions and drive projects rather than micromanaging or governing their moves.
4. You hire talent based on meritocracy and competence rather than how you can control your team. You hire without bias of age -gender or perceptions.
5. You like building change based on employee inputs and working together rather than a top-down approach.
6. You facilitate growth laterally -vertically or horizontally to build employee competence with a focus on building new-age skills. You are not dictated by the fear of losing talent, you are guided by achieving loyalty by building opportunities within the system.
7. Your clients know your team handling various responsibilities rather than constantly depending on you. Your presence is felt as a catalyst to the growth of others rather than your deficit.
8. Everyone around you feel heard, supported, and encouraged; rather than managed.
9. You have an inclusive style of management and leadership, rather than alienation.
10. People around feel confident -talented and enthusiastic and not drowning into oblivion.
11. As a servant leader, you bring in the play of passion -purpose -performance. You can balance emotions, thinking, and a no-nonsense and serious approach to life, with passion, beauty, humor, and playfulness.

Servant Leadership has many positives for the organization and also the ecosystem. If you’ve not chosen to become a Servant leader yet, it’s a good time to nurture your skills around the same. As a servant leader, you can work on the welfare and growth of your team and organization in the long run. Though things are not done for personal gain, eventually the leadership style helps you live beyond your time in organization or life.

What’s your score as a servant leader? Have you experienced servant leaders in your journey? How would like to start practicing servant leadership? Do you think it’s worth your focus? Do share with us your perspectives…