I find that when I speak about servant leadership, many people misunderstand what it means. Some say, “Oh, you mean being nice to people.” Others think, “That’s all about not micromanaging employees.” One of my favorites is, “Letting the inmates run the prison!” Really? Is a prison the best analogy for the workplace?
Although servant leaders are often kind and avoid micromanaging, those ideas miss the mark. So, how do we define it? The modern father of servant leadership, Robert K. Greenleaf, used this test: “Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants?”
Servant leaders focus on bringing out the best in people and organizations. To do that, they prioritize three key areas:
1. Results — Does listing this first surprise you? Servant leaders are responsible for their organization’s success. They ensure people achieve their goals, which drives results. Servant leadership isn’t only about people. Without success, there are no people to serve. “No margin = no mission.”
2. Relationships — People are the heart of every organization. Sometimes, we talk about organizations as if they exist separately from people. Without people, there is no organization. Servant leaders prioritize growth and well-being because they understand this truth.
“Servant leadership is the best way to achieve both great results and great relationships.” — Simple Truth #1, Simple Truths of Leadership
3. Trust — Leadership starts with trust. Great results and strong relationships require an environment built on trust. Servant leaders develop trust by showing competence, acting with integrity, demonstrating care, and keeping commitments.
Leaders who focus on results, relationships, and trust bring Greenleaf’s definition of servant leadership to life.
Want to explore these ideas further? Join me in the Blanchard Community on February 10th at 12:00 p.m. Pacific. We’ll discuss Simple Truths of Leadership and other principles from Blanchard’s leadership courses. This interactive session will help turn common sense into common practice. The Blanchard Community is free and open to all.
