Leaders are informed by their experiences. Encouraging individuals to untether their limiting beliefs from scripts of the past in favor of finding new ways of living in the present, Marie inspires, educates and guides others toward a life of vitality and joy by reducing conflict and increasing cooperation.
A servant leadership approach includes:
Leading by example
Encouraging empowerment
Authority and persuasion versus power
Developing a shared vision
Encouraging empathy and listening skills
Reinforcing achievement
Self-wareness and the importance of humility and flexibility
Healing and conflict resolution
Inspiring trust and respect
Promoting innovation, improvement and personal growth
We may become leaders for an hour, or a day, or a lifetime. We need to meet every individual where they are and unleash their inner leader. It’s time to spark creative thinking and light that fire within.
Servant Leadership may seem like an oxymoron. You might ask, “How can I be a servant and a leader?
A servant leader has the same ultimate goals as a traditional leader but with a focus on helping others to grow and succeed.
Traditional leaders tend to focus more on themselves, their own needs and desires. In a servant leadership relationship there is a shared sense of power. Servant leaders lead from the heart helping their team grow. They feel comfortable sharing a common goal.
Humility is important in servant leadership. My ego is set aside. I’m not worried about just advancing myself. It’s more about a “we” rather than “me” approach. To be a servant leader is to be a collaborator rather than a dictator. There is a belief that the ultimate success of the team benefits everyone including the leader.
An effective servant leader needs peripheral vision or in other words a wider view of what is going on around them. Watch for potential, characteristics, talents, virtues and values that allows an existing employee or team member to move onward and upward. Look for opportunities to elevate their responsibilities when they are ready to embrace the challenge.
Servant leaders know how to delegate and hold people accountable in a fair and heart centered way. Individual leadership training and education needs to happen at all levels to aid in developing successful employees, managers, supervisors, C-suite executives and board members. Whatever our title, we are all leaders or have the potential to lead when our unique skillset and knowledge is what is required.
Coaching and mentoring is a critical part of being a servant leader. It’s a healthier approach to leadership, with transparency and trust as the foundation. It means being ready and willing to provide the training, education and motivation needed for someone to continue to develop their own talents. The goal of course is to retain an employee and build a team but eventually when there comes a time to part company, be the first to shake their hand and wish them well. Feel satisfied that you have contributed to their success and possibly unveiled potential talents that this individual may not even have recognized in themselves. It is a contribution to the greater good that also increases your sphere of influence.
Recognition and acknowledgment of a job well done is an important and simple gesture that has a phenomenal motivational impact on individuals and teams. Giving credit where credit is due is a sign of an egoless leader that provides a generous and positive example.
Giving from the heart provides nourishment to others and depletes none of your resources. A servant leader understands that the ability to give encouragement and guidance is limitless.