In this virtual World — Is traditional leadership dying?
Nowadays the workplace has experienced a ground-breaking change. From the olds 9 to 5 days in the office to virtual teams spread across the globe where different time zones, different cultures and different languages are now the new normal.
At the same time it has opened up new opportunities and it has also challenged our leaders. I believe it can be really disruptive to “old leaders” to adapt to this decentralised environment. Traditional leadership styles rooted in authority, hierarchy and micro management are struggling to keep the pace.
This suggests a question: Is traditional leadership dying?
Well, the answer becomes clear once we define what traditional leadership is. While I referred to “old leaders” earlier, such a reference can be quite unfair. Leadership is rooted in core human values so it can’t become outdated. However in this untouchable World of virtual people on the other side of the screen, a compassionate approach is needed — Servant Leadership!
Framed by Robert K. Greenleaf in the 1970s, servant leadership flips the conventional model upside-down. Here, leaders prioritise the growth and well-being of the team over their own power.
So, what’s Servant Leadership?
In a nutshell, servant leadership is about serving first and leading second. As a principle it emphasises empathy, listening, stewardship and a strong commitment to the growth of everybody around you.
Contrary to traditional leaders blind by outcomes and authority, servant leaders aim to empower their team members by building an environment where everyone can prosper, leading the teams side by side as team members. Servant leaders ask questions like:
What do you need to grow?
How can I remove obstacles in your path?
The pillars of a Servant Leader
Empathy — a Leader must be people oriented, although approaching servant leadership a leader must genuinely understand and care about others.
Listening — a Servant Leader takes time to understand people’s concerns and ideas, ensuring everybody has a voice, people input matter.
Stewardship — a Servant Leader doesn’t just wield the authority, a Servant Leader takes responsibility for the resources, people and goals. Focus on achieving sustainable success rather than chasing short-term wins.
Commitment to Growth — a Servant Leader prioritises and invests in their team personal and professional growth.
Why does Servant Leadership work?
Higher commitment and morale — the same concept as Maslow’s needs hierarchy, when people feel safe and self-fulfilled they are more engaged and motivated.
Collaboration and trust — Servant Leadership is all about caring and when people care about it other it creates strong relationships based on trust.
Better performance — Teams that are given ownership and responsibility tend to outperform those under rigid hierarchical leadership.
Stronger organisational culture — A Servant Leader emphasises fostering an inclusive culture within the organisation.
How to embrace Servant Leadership
It doesn’t matter the type of leader you’re, event if you see yourself as a servant leader here are some practical steps to embrace the idea:
Start with self-reflection — evaluate your leadership style by asking yourself: Am I genuinely serving my team?
Practice active listening — make a conscious effort to listen without interrupt!! — show your team their input matters.
Prioritise your team’s development — Grow together with your team, offer them mentorship, propose training and growth opportunities. Celebrate achievements and milestones no matter how big they are.
Lead by example — Be the example! Demonstrate through your action the standards you expect from your team.
Empower decision making — Delegate, delegate and delegate. trust your team to take ownership of their task.
Conclusion
Servant leadership is not just a leadership style, I believe it’s a way of life. Many of these values are deeply ingrained in our nature as human beings. Taking care of others, empowering growth and trusting your team will create a ripple effect of a positive change that extends beyond the organisation. Which is crucial in this wider and global team we work at.
Some values transcend borders, languages and cultures, they are universal to all humanity. By adopting Servant Leadership principles you can also navigate the complexities of remote work while fostering trust, collaboration, and innovation.
Are you ready to embrace the servant leadership journey?
If you’re interested in learning more about servant leadership or applying its principles in your life, start small — Begin by listening to your team and finding ways to support their growth. Let’s lead with purpose and heart, together!!
