Leadership Through Servitude

There are many ways to lead ranging from fear to example but I've found that one is more effective than any other. We've all been taught both in life and school that leading by example is the clear choice, probably because it is a permutation of the Golden Rule.

Those who do lead by example are likely to gain the respect of team members who share similar values, most frequently of hard work, ethics, dedication, etc. What about those team members who do not necessarily value the same things? What if the example you set is not so obviously observed? Much of a manager's job is done behind closed doors or after hours so it becomes difficult for those examples to be demonstrated.

So what leadership method could be better? Leading by serving. If a leader adopts this mantra of leadership through servitude it encompasses the positive aspects of the aforementioned example but also implies a mindset that will resonate with all team members. No matter what values and viewpoints a team member might have, s/he will always appreciate a leader that consistently has his/her best interests in mind, always seeks to provide assistance or advice, and always puts the needs of the team first.

I do not mean to imply that a leader should cater to every individual's demands. There are many times that a leader has to act in a way that is similar to "tough love" in order to mentor, advise and guide both the employee and the team to long-term success.

To illustrate this point, I'll share a story. At one point I had to deal with a subordinate (we'll call him Joe) who was feuding with several other employees. It started out as playful banter but eventually caused tension to form between Joe and several employees from other departments. During this escalation, there were several accusations made against Joe for fairly insignificant yet still inappropriate actions.

Part of servitude is loyalty and as an expression of this my first action upon hearing of these accusations was to pull Joe aside and ask, "What really happened?" This way he knew that my first commitment was to him keeping him from becoming defensive. We were able to discuss his view of the situation and what actions had caused the escalation and misunderstandings. I was then able to offer suggestions for behavior modifications that might lead him to better outcomes in the future and he was very receptive. My suggestions were taken to heart because I immediately saw him working to modify his behaviors.

I believe that the servitude mentality is also the fastest way to become what the book "Good to Great" defines as a Level 5 Leader. By viewing your leadership position as one of serving your team, the only logical path is to assemble the most competent individuals whose individual skill sets are likely superior to your own. Since they will know that your loyalty is to the team, not yourself, they will return that sentiment and you're team will be highly effective.

Ultimately this concept of leading by serving is only mildly different than leading by example but I believe the nuances create significantly different outcomes. Ultimately you'll find that leading with a mentality of serving the needs of your team is rewarding and effective because it helps to build a trusting and collaborative team dynamic.