Impactful leadership doesn’t solely come from technical skills. People who tell others what to do instead of inspiring them to grow can create a difficult work environment. Leaders should be able to empower their team to do their best and help their organization reach their goals.
Instead of a traditional style of leadership, consider incorporating servant-based leadership methods into how you approach your organization and how you support your team.
What is Servant-Based Leadership?
A strong leadership team is crucial for the success of any organization. In the nonprofit sector, using the right leadership style can really shape how your organization works together to achieve goals. One such leadership style seeks to be a servant to the organization’s needs rather than be a controller of day-to-day operations.
The servant-based leadership approach is not a new concept, but the term was first used in a 1970 essay by Robert K. Greenleaf where he noted that servant leadership “begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.”
Traditionally, leadership is thought of in terms of a pyramid, where one individual sits at the top and oversees those below them. Servant-based leadership strays away from this model and instead shares leadership roles with others and prioritizes the needs of the organization. In the servant-based leadership model, it is the responsibility of the leadership team to help their employees develop their skills and perform at their best.
If the leadership responsibilities aren’t at the top of the pyramid, then what will fill that position instead? Servant-based leadership puts the individual team members at the top and it is the responsibility of leadership to cater to their needs. This helps teams feel empowered by the work they’re doing, resulting in efficient and productive efforts. Developing the employee’s purpose with the goals of the organization will help build a strong foundation for a successful nonprofit.
Characteristics of Servant Leaders
To help empower the nonprofit team, servant leaders tend to have strong leadership qualities in addition to their skillsets. Acting as a servant first and a leader second, these individuals become mentors to help shape the path of a nonprofit organization. Here are some characteristics that are commonly shared among servant leaders.
Empathy
Servant leaders prioritize their team as individuals. This requires a sense of empathy and treating those individuals with a high level of respect. By valuing the perspectives of other people on their team, servant leaders are able to contribute to the sense of fulfillment felt by the people they serve.
Conceptualization
Traditional leadership styles place a strong emphasis on developing individual skills. While this is still important, servant-based leaders look past the small tasks and envision the larger goals of the nonprofit organization. Conceptualizing the end-goal and communicating how each person plays a key role in reaching that goal will help team members stay motivated and better serve their organization.
Community
As mentioned before, being a strong servant leader requires catering to the needs of your team, not just leadership. Leaders who reinforce engagement with their peers and value each individual will help to build a strong community. With an empowered team, servant leaders are there to foster an environment of support and make a positive impact within the organization.
Self-Awareness
A strong servant leader is highly self-aware. To serve the greater good of their organization, they must understand how their actions impact those around them. This knowledge of strengths and weaknesses can help guide others to grow and better serve their communities.
Additionally, self-awareness requires strong management of behaviors. Acting as a role model, a servant leader can guide others to meet the needs of their community.
Stewardship
Servant leaders take on the role of a mentor in a nonprofit organization. This means leading by example and upholding the values of the organization to help establish their trust in themselves and the people around them.
After all, every organization leans on individual team members to create a larger whole. Supporting these individuals first will result in a unified team who are passionate about the work they’re doing.
5 Notable Servant Leadership Quotes
Even if the idea of servant-based leadership is new to you, it’s not an uncommon practice. Here’s a list of servant leadership quotes from some of the most impactful leaders around the world.
1. “The first and most important choice a leader makes is the choice to serve, without which one’s capacity to lead is severely limited.” - Robert K. Greenleaf
As a leading figure in servant-based leadership, Robert K. Greenleaf has valuable insights about this leadership style. In his essays on servant leadership philosophy, Greenleaf emphasizes the importance of prioritizing serving others rather than following traditional ideas of what leadership should look like.
2. “Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.” - Simon Sinek
In this quote, Sinek notes that in order to do exceptional work, it must be work that is impactful for each individual. This kind of intrinsic motivation will help teams perform at their best, instead of it feeling like a chore.
3. “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill
Churchill is noting how there is a tremendous amount of value that comes from giving to others. A leader who serves their team will make a meaningful contribution to their surrounding community.
4. “Life’s most urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Servant leaders put their community first, and that is exactly what Martin Luther King, Jr. was asking his audience to do when he said this quote. To make a difference, it is the needs of those around us that are most important, not control over each other.
5. “A leader… is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.” - Nelson Mandela
Traditional leadership asks others to follow suit, whereas servant leadership encourages teams to work together to serve their communities. A servant leader keeps their flock together and ensures that they are on the right path by supporting each individual, as emphasized by Mandela in this quote.
What It Means to Be a Nonprofit Servant Leader
A successful nonprofit needs the right people to uplift their team and make strides toward reaching their goals. There is a tremendous amount of value that comes from serving a community instead of enforcing control over others. Instead, servant leaders guide their organization to be their best and make a difference in their communities.
DickersonBakker is happy to help nonprofits find strong leaders who incorporate servant-based practices into their methods. Our executive search services aim to find an individual who can help your team meet their goals while empowering them to do their best work. To get started, contact the DickersonBakker team and meet with a consultant.
