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For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. — Mark 10:45
The power of servant leadership is found in a simple but powerful idea: leading by serving. This approach turns the old way of thinking about leadership upside down.
Instead of the boss being the most important person, above everyone else, the leader has the main job of helping others to succeed. What happens is that the team doesn’t function from the top to the bottom, but in reverse: with those at the bottom being acknowledged, rightfully, as the prime movers.
This way of leading by serving creates stronger teams and better results for everyone.
What Happens When You’re Leading by Serving
The concept of leading by serving has been around since leaders were a thing. So, quite long ago and long before this kind of leading had an actual name, this style of leadership was already practiced and taught. The modern idea, though, was shaped by Robert Greenleaf.
He told a story about a group of travelers helped by a servant named Leo. When Leo disappeared, the group fell apart. Later, they discovered Leo was actually the great leader of their order.
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This story shows that true leadership begins with a desire to serve. Coincidentally, this is the purest form of leadership and command because it comes not from a desire to lead or to dominate or to feel like one is above others, but from a human desire to connect and be with others and to help each other.
The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural inclination to serve first. Then, conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.
This service-oriented leadership flips the script of the old and entrenched. Instead of planning ways to get people to do what the leader wants, a leader who practices leading by serving asks themselves how they can help their people achieve their potential.
No more of this notion that there can only be one great person in a team. The new and best way is for everyone to be great.
The Heart of a Leader Who Serves
Leading through service starts with a change in the leader’s own heart and mind. It means moving from an ego-focused approach to an empathy-focused one.
An ego-centric leader thinks they have all the answers. Thus, they see feedback as criticism and are more likely to ignore input that does not immediately align with their own preconceived ideas. They want to be right and almost always think they are, regardless of facts.
On the other hand, an empathy-centric leader knows they don’t know everything. They welcome feedback, especially that which points to a new direction that does not wholly conform to their biases. They care more about what is right than about being right. This humble leadership style builds trust and opens the door for everyone’s best ideas to be heard.
This journey of becoming a servant-leader requires deep self-awareness. A potential servant-leader must understand their own emotions, values, and weaknesses.
Self-awareness is the cornerstone of servant leadership, providing the stable foundation upon which all other leadership qualities are built.
This empowering form of leadership is not weak; it is strong enough to be humble and put others first. It paints a bigger picture that includes everyone who contributes to the team.
Putting Service into Action Every Day
Leading by serving is not just about having a nice-sounding idea; it is something you do every time you are presented with the opportunity to do so. Servant leadership shows up in daily actions and decisions.
One of the most important skills is listening. Not just waiting for your turn to talk, but really listening to understand. Ondrejka describes this as “listening with intent and purpose.” When people feel heard, they feel valued.
Another key action is empathy. Empathy means trying to understand and share what another person is feeling. It is different from sympathy, which is just feeling sorry for someone. This altruistic leadership focuses on understanding the experiences of others.
Servant leaders are also committed to helping others grow. They see their team members as whole people, not just workers. They invest in their development with a “genuine commitment to developing those being led. This dedication goes beyond enhancing performance to nurturing holistic personal and professional growth.”
This is the heart of empowering leadership.
Why Leading by Serving Works So Well
Some people might think this service-oriented leadership is too soft for business and that it can only be useful when applied to more people-facing endeavors. Research and real-world results, though, prove otherwise.
Companies that practice leading by serving often see amazing outcomes:
- Higher employee engagement and retention
- Increased creativity and innovation
- Better team performance
- Improved customer satisfaction
Herb Kelleher of Southwest famously put employees first, customers second, and shareholders third. This counterintuitive approach delivered exceptional results for all three groups.
Howard Behar of Starbucks said, “We’re not in the coffee business serving people; we’re in the people business serving coffee.” This focus on people to lead through service builds loyalty and drives performance.
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Your Journey to Leading by Serving Is Now
The call to leading by serving is a timeless one. This principle of altruistic leadership is not new, but it is as relevant today as ever.
Leading by serving is about going back to the roots of what true leadership really is. It’s not about having a fancy title or a corner office. True leadership is about making a positive difference in the lives of those you lead and everyone who counts on you.
When you are a servant-leader, you inevitably place yourself on a challenging but incredibly rewarding path that builds stronger people, stronger teams, and stronger organizations.
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, — Matthew 20:26
Are you ready to explore how you can transform your leadership style and make a lasting impact?
Practical strategies and inspiring stories can be found in the book Servant Leadership Works: Ethical, Engaging, and Effective by Dennis Ondrejka.
Get your copy today and begin your journey to leading by serving.
