12 Leadership Styles: Servant Leadership
Leading by Serving...But with Gender, Religious, & Crisis Challenges
In today's leadership world, Servant Leadership is often hailed as the gold standard. It’s the leadership style that puts the team first, prioritizes their needs, and fosters a culture of collaboration and support. Sounds like a dream, right? Who wouldn’t want a leader who’s there to help you grow, empower you, and always puts your needs ahead of their own?
But let’s be real—while servant leadership has its merits, it’s not without its challenges. Let’s dive into what servant leadership really is, its pros and cons, when it shines, and when it struggles. We’ll also explore how gender expectations can complicate this leadership style and address the connection between servant leadership and Christian circles, which can be a stumbling block for some leaders.
What is Servant Leadership?
Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy where the leader's primary goal is to serve their team. Rather than focusing on power, authority, or personal success, a servant leader prioritizes the growth, well-being, and success of the people they lead. The leader acts as a facilitator, ensuring that team members have the resources, support, and guidance they need to thrive.
In this style, leaders are more like mentors or coaches, putting the needs of the team first and helping them achieve their full potential. It’s a people-first approach that emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration.
The Pros of Servant Leadership
Servant leadership has numerous advantages, particularly in fostering a positive team culture and achieving long-term success:
Strong Team Culture: By prioritizing the needs of the team, servant leaders create a culture of trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. This often leads to higher employee engagement and satisfaction.
Empowered Employees: Servant leaders focus on developing their team members, helping them grow both personally and professionally. This leads to a more empowered and capable workforce.
Long-Term Success: Teams led by servant leaders often achieve sustained success because they are built on strong relationships and a deep sense of purpose.
Reduced Turnover: When employees feel valued and supported, they are more likely to stay with the organization, reducing turnover and fostering loyalty.
The Cons of Servant Leadership
While servant leadership has many benefits, it also has its challenges:
Struggles in Crisis Situations: In times of crisis, when quick decisions and strong direction are needed, servant leadership can struggle. The emphasis on consensus and serving the team can slow down decision-making and create confusion when clarity and speed are required.
Burnout Risk for Leaders: Servant leaders can sometimes overextend themselves by constantly prioritizing the needs of others. Without proper boundaries, this can lead to burnout.
Overemphasis on Consensus: While collaboration is important, seeking consensus on every decision can lead to delays and inefficiency, particularly in fast-paced environments.
Unclear Authority: In some cases, the emphasis on serving others can blur the lines of authority, leading to confusion about who is ultimately responsible for decisions.
Gender Expectations and Servant Leadership
One of the most significant challenges of servant leadership is how it intersects with gender expectations, particularly for women in leadership roles. Female leaders are often expected to be nurturing, caring, and supportive—traits that align closely with the servant leadership model. However, this expectation can create unfair pressure on women to conform to these stereotypes, even when it may not be the best approach for the situation. For instance, a female leader who adopts a more authoritarian or directive style may be criticized for not being "caring enough," while a male leader in the same position might be praised for being decisive. It’s important to recognize that servant leadership, while valuable, should be a choice rather than an expectation based on gender.
The Connection with Evangelical Christian Circles
Servant leadership is often associated with evangelical Christian teachings, particularly the idea of leading by serving others, as exemplified by figures like Jesus Christ. While this connection has enriched the philosophy for some, it can be a barrier for those uncomfortable with religious overtones or from different cultural backgrounds. However, it's important to recognize that servant leadership's core principles—empathy, support, and prioritizing the team's needs—are universal and can be applied in any organization, regardless of religious beliefs.
When is Servant Leadership Best Utilized?
Servant leadership is particularly effective in environments where culture and long-term relationships are essential for success. It thrives in team-centric workplaces that prioritize collaboration and employee development, helping to build strong, cohesive teams. This leadership style also excels in stable, non-crisis situations where there is time to build consensus, foster growth, and focus on the well-being of the team. In mission-driven organizations, servant leadership aligns well with the values of serving a greater purpose, and it is especially beneficial for developing teams that require mentorship, support, and guidance to reach their full potential.
How Servant Leadership Can Be Weaponized
While servant leadership is centered around positive ideals, it can be weaponized if misused. Here are some ways this can happen:
Exploiting the Leader’s Role: Leaders may be expected to constantly prioritize others at their own expense, leading to burnout. This dynamic can also be manipulated by others who take advantage of the leader’s willingness to serve.
Creating Dependency: If a leader takes on too much responsibility, it can stifle the team’s growth and lead to dependency, preventing team members from developing their own decision-making skills.
Masking Authority: Some leaders might use servant leadership as a façade to subtly control or manipulate outcomes, presenting decisions as being for the team’s benefit while actually pursuing their own agenda.
Reinforcing Gender Stereotypes: Particularly for women, servant leadership can reinforce traditional gender roles, leading to unfair expectations around nurturing and caretaking.
Recognizing these pitfalls can help ensure that servant leadership remains a tool for empowerment, rather than control.
Can You Be a Servant Leader and a Heart-Centered Leader?
Absolutely. In fact, servant leadership and heart-centered leadership are closely aligned. Both approaches emphasize empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to the well-being of the team. A heart-centered servant leader focuses not only on serving the team but also on creating a positive, inclusive culture that supports each individual’s growth and success.
The key is to ensure that your commitment to serving others doesn’t lead to neglecting your own needs or allowing your leadership to be undermined. Setting boundaries, maintaining clear authority, and knowing when to switch gears are essential for balancing servant leadership with effective management.
Examples of Servant Leaders
Some well-known examples of servant leaders include:
Herb Kelleher: The co-founder of Southwest Airlines, Kelleher was known for his focus on employee happiness, believing that if he took care of his employees, they would take care of the customers.
Mother Teresa: While not a corporate leader, Mother Teresa’s life was a testament to servant leadership. She dedicated her life to serving others, particularly the poor and sick, embodying the principles of putting others' needs first.
Nelson Mandela: As a leader of South Africa's fight against apartheid, Mandela focused on reconciliation and serving the needs of all South Africans, prioritizing the country’s healing and unity over his own personal power.
Conclusion
Servant leadership is a powerful approach that can transform teams and organizations by focusing on the needs of others. However, it’s important to recognize the challenges it presents and the limitations it has in crisis situations.
As we continue to explore different leadership styles, remember that no one style is perfect for every situation. The goal is to adapt your leadership to the needs of your team while staying true to your values and maintaining a healthy balance.
If you’re interested in developing your servant leadership skills or exploring other leadership styles that align with your unique strengths, reach out to book a discovery call.
Leadership is about more than just serving—it’s about understanding when and how to serve in a way that empowers your team and drives success. Stay tuned as we continue to dive into the many facets of leadership in the coming weeks.
Leah