4 Ways to Become a Great Servant Leader
A servant leader focuses on their team’s needs before considering their own. The term was first coined in the 1970s by Robert K. Greenleaf in an essay called “The Servant as a Leader.” If you choose to guide your small business as one, you’ll do everything you can to help your staff grow and succeed. Your workers will thrive because they know that you’re always there supporting them and providing the tools and resources they need to do their jobs well. Keep reading to learn four ways you can become a great servant leader.
1. Build servant leadership into your small business
Your core principals help guide every choice you and your staff make, so building servant leadership into your small business will help you make decisions that allow you to serve your team better.
If you post your company’s values online, you’ll also be more likely to attract job applicants who identify with those beliefs. In turn, you’re likely to hire people who also strive to be servant leaders.
Read also: Values Give Your Business Direction
2. Talk to your team
Take some time out of your busy day to engage with each member of your staff. Listening to your employees allows you to be more empathetic and see things from their perspective. If you give your workers your full attention when you’re talking to them, you’ll be able to find out exactly what kind of support and resources they need to achieve their goals.
Remember – they’re in the thick of it every day, talking to customers and dealing with vendors. Ask them how things are going and if they need anything from you to do their job better. You might find out that your team has too much on their plate – that it’s time to hire someone new to help out. Listening to what your workers need gives you insights that you wouldn’t otherwise have.
Read also: Is it Time to Hire?
3. Trust your staff
You hired each member of your team because they brought new skills and unique experiences to the table. So, trust that they know what they’re doing. If you have faith in their judgment and give them the tools they need to grow, they’ll be able to come up with ideas that can take your company to the next level.
Read also: 7 Ways to Empower Your Staff
4. Recognize your strengths
By considering your own strengths, you’ll be able to focus on what you’re good at and delegate the rest to your team. Not only will this show your workers that you respect them, but it will also free up your time so you can focus on growing your business.
By delegating some of your tasks, you’ll also help each member of your staff grow as they take on duties that challenge them and help them advance in their careers. That will show them that you are personally invested in ensuring that they achieve their goals.
