The Mindset of a Servant Leader
Servant leaders are highly compassionate and selfless. They can identify and meet the needs of their team members, which helps them create a positive workplace environment.
Also recognize that everyone has their own growth goals and are committed to helping them achieve them. They are not afraid to show their employees they care about them as individuals, and they take a personal interest in their ideas and suggestions.
Selflessness
One of the most important characteristics of a servant leader is selflessness. This mindset allows them to put the needs of others above their own, focusing on the well-being of their teams and organization first.
Selflessness can be exhibited in a variety of ways. It can take the form of a soldier putting their life on the line to save a fallen comrade, or it can be shown in donating your time to a charity or a sports team.
Those who practice selflessness are emotionally stable, feel in harmony, and experience “authentic, durable happiness” (Dambrun, 2017). They also exhibit strong relationships and have a sense of purpose, helping them succeed in their career and personal lives.
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to connect in with the emotions and experiences of others. It can help you build social connections, improve your communication skills, and reduce stress and burnout.
The term “empathy” is a German word that literally means to “feel into.” It’s the mental process of putting yourself in another person’s shoes and imagining their world.
A leader who empathizes with her team members can understand their struggles and provide support when necessary. This transformational leadership can help your employees overcome problems and improve performance.
Empathy is a natural human ability that some people have more of than others. However, it can also be a learned skill.
Empowerment
Feeling empowered is one of the most important things to feel as a person. It can fuel your motivation to achieve your goals, learn new skills, and grow.
The mindset of a servant leader is to empower their team members. This includes ensuring they understand the company’s goals and have the tools they need to realize them.
Employee empowerment is an essential part of any business, and it will help your employees stay motivated to deliver high-quality service to your clients and customers. In addition, empowering your employees will also benefit your bottom line.
Empowerment can be achieved at the individual, group or societal level. It can be psychological or social, involving three components: intrapersonal, interactional, and behavioral.
Transparency
A leader who is transparent about their decisions and actions has the power to build trust with their team. They understand the importance of being open to others’ views and encourage them to speak up when they have a concern.
According to Robert Greenleaf, the founder of modern servant leadership, this style can improve employee retention and workplace relationships. In addition, it can help leaders focus on the needs of their team members and support their learning and development.
According to Greenleaf, strong servant leaders also recognize that their teams may need to heal from past emotional hurts and challenges. This can be done by emphasizing healing and wholeness in their team-building activities and conversations with their employees.
Accountability
Accountability is the ability or willingness to take responsibility for a situation. This is often a requirement of certain roles within an organization.
For example, a financial advisor must be accountable for managing their client’s money. This is important, as failure to do so may result in a loss of trust and the potential for legal impropriety.
An accountability mindset is the way a servant leader treats others. It involves a focus on the well-being of others and their communities. Servant leaders demonstrate their compassion by listening, empathy, healing, and fostering development. They also use persuasion as a tool to motivate and guide their followers.