Definition of Servant Leadership, Principles, and Examples

27 March 2024

Servant Leadership: Definition, Principles, and Examples

According to research, organizations that implement servant leadership are companies that tend to have higher levels of job satisfaction among their employees.

In fact, the study found that this approach can increase team collaboration, creativity and employee loyalty.

So, what is servant leadership? Come on, let's thoroughly examine the meaning, principles, and examples in the following article!

What is Servant Leadership?

Servant leadership is a leadership style where a leader pays more attention to the needs and welfare of his team rather than simply giving orders.

In practice, a leader with this style prioritizes the interests and growth of his team members.

A person with servant leadership principles believes that when team members are respected and receive support, they will work more efficiently and productively.

Principles of Servant Leadership

The following are the principles of servant leadership that you need to know:

1. Listening (listening)

A leader who has servant leadership principles not only speaks, but also listens to what his team says. Leaders who provide sufficient opportunities for all members to be heard and listen carefully to what is said, including what is not said.

That way, a leader can gain useful insights, understand growth opportunities, and build strong relationships among his team.

2. Empathy (empathy)

The next principle of servant leadership is having a sense of empathy. Leaders who understand that happiness and satisfaction outside of work also influence team members' success in the workplace.

Leaders who strive to create a comfortable work environment, where you feel supported and appreciated. That way, the relationship between you and the leader will become closer and cooperation within the team will be better.

3. Healing

In the healing principle, the leader plays a role as the main driver in providing a supportive and comfortable atmosphere for each team member so that they can develop well.

This is important because not all team members can always work together easily.

Therefore, leaders must create a work environment that is the best healing place for team members, where each individual feels valued and supported.

4. Self-awareness (self-awareness)

Self-awareness is an understanding of your own behavior and its impact on others around you.

Well, leaders who have good self-awareness are able to accept and learn from their own weaknesses.

Apart from that, he also recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of each team member so he can help them grow and develop in their careers.

5. Persuasion (persuasion)

A leader should be able to guide and convince his team members.

Authoritarian leaders simply give orders to team members without explaining the reasons behind them. This is different from a servant leader who will explain why a method or process is considered the best.

In other words, a leader should build cooperation and mutual understanding, not just order without adequate explanation.

6. Conceptualization (conceptualization)

A leader must be able to think about things bigger than small tasks. Then, explain clearly to his team the big goal and why it is important to them.

Additionally, a leader also needs to help team members understand their roles and stay motivated while focusing on long-term goals and company objectives.

7. Predicting the future (foresight)

A leader needs to learn from past mistakes and successes. Then, use the lessons learned to evaluate current decisions.

Identify what is happening now, understand the consequences of the decisions made, then help the team do the same.

8. Responsible for serving (stewardship)

Leaders who uphold servant leadership understand how important responsibility is. Protect and maintain the trust given to him, then convey it to the team.

For example, a class president is not only responsible for providing direction to his friends, but also ensuring that the trust given by the teacher and his friends is well maintained.

9. Commitment to helping the team grow (commitment to the growth of people)

A leader should have a commitment to helping team members develop professionally.

Not only does it tell team members what to do, but it also provides the support and resources necessary to reach their maximum potential.

10. Building Community (building community)

This principle emphasizes the importance of creating strong bonds among team members. Leaders not only focus on work goals, but also ensure that team members feel cared for and appreciated.

For example, by creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and working together to achieve common goals.

Examples of Servant Leadership

Here are some examples of servant leadership in the workplace:

Set an example for team members

One example of servant leadership is when a leader has the desire to help his team members be more successful.

For example, when the team is having difficulty achieving sales targets, the leader immediately goes directly to the field to help achieve the target.

Encourage Collaboration

The next example is by encouraging collaboration.

For example, leaders who often hold discussion sessions with team members. The goal is to hear his team's opinions on how to improve the company's services.

In these sessions, team members can provide input on how customer service can be improved or how their jobs can be made easier.

That's a glimpse of the concept of servant leadership. By implementing this approach, you can create a better work environment and motivate everyone in it.

Want to learn more about self-leadership and how to apply it in your work environment?
Register now for our self-leadership training program.

Servant Leadership: Definition, Principles, and Examples

According to research, organizations that implement servant leadership are companies that tend to have higher levels of job satisfaction among their employees.

In fact, the study found that this approach can increase team collaboration, creativity and employee loyalty.

So, what is servant leadership? Come on, let's thoroughly examine the meaning, principles, and examples in the following article!

What is Servant Leadership?

Servant leadership is a leadership style where a leader pays more attention to the needs and welfare of his team rather than simply giving orders.

In practice, a leader with this style prioritizes the interests and growth of his team members.

A person with servant leadership principles believes that when team members are respected and receive support, they will work more efficiently and productively.

Principles of Servant Leadership

The following are the principles of servant leadership that you need to know:

1. Listening (listening)

A leader who has servant leadership principles not only speaks, but also listens to what his team says. Leaders who provide sufficient opportunities for all members to be heard and listen carefully to what is said, including what is not said.

That way, a leader can gain useful insights, understand growth opportunities, and build strong relationships among his team.

2. Empathy (empathy)

The next principle of servant leadership is having a sense of empathy. Leaders who understand that happiness and satisfaction outside of work also influence team members' success in the workplace.

Leaders who strive to create a comfortable work environment, where you feel supported and appreciated. That way, the relationship between you and the leader will become closer and cooperation within the team will be better.

3. Healing

In the healing principle, the leader plays a role as the main driver in providing a supportive and comfortable atmosphere for each team member so that they can develop well.

This is important because not all team members can always work together easily.

Therefore, leaders must create a work environment that is the best healing place for team members, where each individual feels valued and supported.

4. Self-awareness (self-awareness)

Self-awareness is an understanding of your own behavior and its impact on others around you.

Well, leaders who have good self-awareness are able to accept and learn from their own weaknesses.

Apart from that, he also recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of each team member so he can help them grow and develop in their careers.

5. Persuasion (persuasion)

A leader should be able to guide and convince his team members.

Authoritarian leaders simply give orders to team members without explaining the reasons behind them. This is different from a servant leader who will explain why a method or process is considered the best.

In other words, a leader should build cooperation and mutual understanding, not just order without adequate explanation.

6. Conceptualization (conceptualization)

A leader must be able to think about things bigger than small tasks. Then, explain clearly to his team the big goal and why it is important to them.

Additionally, a leader also needs to help team members understand their roles and stay motivated while focusing on long-term goals and company objectives.

7. Predicting the future (foresight)

A leader needs to learn from past mistakes and successes. Then, use the lessons learned to evaluate current decisions.

Identify what is happening now, understand the consequences of the decisions made, then help the team do the same.

8. Responsible for serving (stewardship)

Leaders who uphold servant leadership understand how important responsibility is. Protect and maintain the trust given to him, then convey it to the team.

For example, a class president is not only responsible for providing direction to his friends, but also ensuring that the trust given by the teacher and his friends is well maintained.

9. Commitment to helping the team grow (commitment to the growth of people)

A leader should have a commitment to helping team members develop professionally.

Not only does it tell team members what to do, but it also provides the support and resources necessary to reach their maximum potential.

10. Building Community (building community)

This principle emphasizes the importance of creating strong bonds among team members. Leaders not only focus on work goals, but also ensure that team members feel cared for and appreciated.

For example, by creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and working together to achieve common goals.

Examples of Servant Leadership

Here are some examples of servant leadership in the workplace:

Set an example for team members

One example of servant leadership is when a leader has the desire to help his team members be more successful.

For example, when the team is having difficulty achieving sales targets, the leader immediately goes directly to the field to help achieve the target.

Encourage Collaboration

The next example is by encouraging collaboration.

For example, leaders who often hold discussion sessions with team members. The goal is to hear his team's opinions on how to improve the company's services.

In these sessions, team members can provide input on how customer service can be improved or how their jobs can be made easier.

That's a glimpse of the concept of servant leadership. By implementing this approach, you can create a better work environment and motivate everyone in it.

Want to learn more about self-leadership and how to apply it in your work environment?
Register now for our self-leadership training program.

Prasetiya Mulya Executive Learning Institute
Prasetiya Mulya Cilandak Campus, Building 2, #2203
Jl. R.A Kartini (TB. Simatupang), Cilandak Barat, Jakarta 12430
Indonesia
Prasetiya Mulya Executive Learning Institute
Prasetiya Mulya Cilandak Campus, Building 2, #2203
Jl. R.A Kartini (TB. Simatupang), Cilandak Barat,
Jakarta 12430
Indonesia