If you are in a leadership role, the question isn’t whether to serve—it’s how to serve effectively. Leaders who embrace servant leadership understand that their success is tied to the success of their team. 

Servant Leadership: It’s Characteristics, Pros & Cons 

What Is Servant Leadership? 

Servant leadership is a leadership style that flips the traditional power structure. Instead of employees serving the leader, the leader instead serves their team. This approach focuses on the growth and well-being of individuals, the team, and the organization. 

Key Takeaways 

  • Servant leaders prioritize the needs of their team over their own authority. 
  • This leadership style leads to higher employee satisfaction and productivity. 
  • Transitioning to a servant leadership style requires some serious self-awareness and commitment. 

How Does Servant Leadership Work?

Servant Leader Characteristics 

Servant leaders share key traits that set themselves apart from a traditional leader. These include: 

  • Empathy – Understanding and addressing employees’ needs. 
  • Listening – Actively hearing concerns and feedback. 
  • Commitment to growth – Helping team members reach their full potential. 
  • Building community – Creating a supportive and collaborative work culture. 

What Is Servant Leadership Theory? 

The servant leadership theory suggests that leaders who prioritize their teams’ development will ultimately create a stronger, more productive team and organization. By empowering employees, teams see long-term success and innovation. 

What Are the Principles of Servant Leadership? 

Some of the core principles include: 

  • Self-awareness – Knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses. 
  • Foresight – Anticipating challenges and preparing solutions. 
  • Persuasion – Influencing others through reasoning rather than authority. 
  • Stewardship – Taking responsibility for both people and the organization. 

What Is the Role of a Servant Leader? 

A servant leader’s primary role is to support and develop their team. They focus on creating an environment where employees can thrive, ensuring their needs are met and helping them grow professionally. 

Pros and Cons of Servant Leadership 

Pros 

  • Increased employee engagement and overall job satisfaction. 
  • Stronger team collaboration and trust. 
  • Long-term business success and sustainability. 

Cons 

  • Time-intensive leadership style. 
  • May not work well in highly competitive or fast-paced environments. 
  • Can be challenging to implement in traditional corporate cultures. 

The Bottom Line 

Servant leadership can transform workplaces by fostering trust, collaboration, and long-term success. However, it requires dedication, self-awareness, and a genuine desire to serve others. 

What’s the Problem with Current Leadership? 

Many leadership structures today focus on power and control rather than collaboration and development. This approach often leads to disengaged employees, high turnover rates, and poor company culture. 

What Needs to Change? 

Organizations must shift from top-down leadership to servant leadership. Leaders should prioritize their team’s well-being, foster open communication, and support professional growth. 

How Can You Transition to Being a Servant Leader? 

1. Do You Really Want to Be a Leader? 

Being a servant leader requires a mindset shift. If you’re in leadership for power or status, this approach may not be for you. Servant leadership is about putting others first and genuinely wanting to help them succeed. 

2. Understand Yourself 

Self-awareness is crucial. Leadership assessments like DISC can help you understand your natural tendencies and how they affect your leadership style. 

3. Understand Others 

Observing and understanding your team’s behaviour allows you to adjust your leadership approach to meet their needs effectively. 

4. Incrementally Demonstrate Servant Leadership Behaviours 

Becoming a servant leader is a gradual process. Start by: 

  • Listening more and speaking less. 
  • Encouraging and supporting team development. 
  • Building trust by delivering on promises. 
  • Seeking and acting on feedback. 

What’s Holding Us Back from Becoming Servant Leaders? 

Challenges include: 

  • Traditional corporate structures that prioritize authority. 
  • Fear of appearing weak or losing control. 
  • The time investment required to develop employees. 

Final Words from Experiences and Observations in the Field 

From experience, embracing servant leadership leads to stronger teams, better business outcomes, and more fulfilling work environments. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. 

FAQs about Servant Leadership in Project Management 

How does servant leadership benefit project management? 

Servant leadership enhances collaboration, improves problem-solving, and boosts team morale, leading to more successful projects. 

Is servant leadership suitable for all industries? 

While effective in many settings, it may not work well in high-pressure environments that demand quick decision-making. 

How can project managers apply servant leadership? 

Project managers can: 

  • Focus on team development. 
  • Encourage open communication. 
  • Remove obstacles that hinder productivity. 

FAQs about Astradigm 

What is Astradigm? 

Astradigm is a company that provides fractional project management services, training, and support for businesses looking to optimize their project outcomes. 

How does Astradigm incorporate servant leadership? 

Astradigm believes in empowering teams, fostering collaboration, and ensuring clients achieve sustainable success through effective agile and project management practices. 

Can Astradigm help companies transition to servant leadership? 

Yes! Astradigm offers consulting and training services to help organizations implement servant leadership principles in their project management approach.