What is servant leadership?

Servant leadership is defined as a leadership style that emphasizes the importance of serving others. This approach shifts the focus from traditional hierarchical models of leadership, where power and authority are paramount, to one where the leader’s primary role is to support and uplift their team members. In servant leadership, leaders prioritize the growth and well-being of their followers, fostering an environment of collaboration, empowerment, and community.

This philosophy is rooted in the idea that true leadership emerges from a desire to serve, rather than to exert control or seek personal gain. By prioritizing the needs of others, servant leaders cultivate trust, empathy, and strong relationships, which can lead to increased engagement and performance among team members. This nurturing approach also encourages leaders to listen actively, involve their teams in decision-making, and develop the potential of each member, creating a more inclusive and effective organizational culture.

Other choices reflect a more traditional or bureaucratic approach to leadership, which does not align with the core principles of servant leadership.