Average leaders deliver results.
Servant leaders develop people who deliver results.
The 5 Habits of Highly Effective Servant Leaders
#1. Know and support a development plan for each team member.
Average leaders focus on the short-term bottom line. Servant leaders take the medium-term view by developing people.
- Ask each employee to develop a personal development plan.
- Align personal aspirations with organizational goals.
- Maintain individual responsibility by choosing a coaching approach.
- Use development plans during 1:1s.
#2. Practice mutual accountability.
You are as accountable to them as they are to you.
- Build trust by publicly declaring your commitment to support the development of each team member.
- Confront helplessness. Promote responsibility.
- Agree on shared goals and timelines.
#3. Choose behaviors that reflect humility.
Think of humility as a practice, not a feeling.
Humility earns respect, promotes collaboration, encourages continuous learning, and advances personal contribution.
Explore humility here: How Humble Leadership Really Works
#4. Connect with customers actively.
Servant leaders deliver value to customers.
- Expect everyone to define connection with customer value.
- Connect with customers systematically, even if you’re in a support role.
- Share stories of customer value you delivered either directly or indirectly.
- Ask, “What are we learning from our customers?” during team meetings.
#5. Expect more from yourself than you expect from others.
Your pursuit of high standards invites respect. The ability to inspire hinges on your example.
- Show up on time, prepared, and focused. Rush says people don’t matter.
- Seek feedback specifically and systematically.
- Accept responsibility. Never blame.
People don’t rise to low standards.
What servant leadership habit is most relevant for you today?
Still curious:
Big Shot, Bureaucrat, or Servant Leader
The Top Signs You’re a Servant-Leader
Servant Leadership PowerPoint.pptx
