Often in business there is a misconception that Servant Leadership is by definition a manager that is weak and unable to provide proper leadership. I will submit to you that is not the case at all. A TRUE Servant Leader will exhibit the strength that his or her respective team will follow under the direst circumstances. It is become apparent to me over time that the best teams I have worked with trusted their leadership. The question is why? People want to be treated with dignity and respect. They want the truth; they want to be involved. My experience is the best performing businesses are successful when the team understands the expectations and what they can impact. In general, people can respond to the truth even when the truth hurts. A Servant Leader will exhibit strength in explaining to the team that status quo will not carry any business and change will be needed. A Servant Leader is also a Change Agent. Strong enough to lead a team to a new place with strong Core Values. A strong Servant Leader will lead by his Core Values. The team understands what they see, not what they hear. Truth, Compassion, Kindness are often what most think of when they talk about Servant Leadership. I believe it is that and then some. It is strength and character when times are tough, standing tall and leading the team when they need it most. When your team trusts you, believes and understands the direction they will follow you anywhere. We all expect and need leadership. It is interesting to me that when the culture starts to shift and the team is moving the business forward that the business surges with optimism, pride and yes…profitability. The profit in a business can be the serendipitous to doing the right thing. I would suggest that this may the best method to create a business model that generates sustainable growth, improved profits and a team that is driving the bus. When you are willing to turn over your best customer to your team the trust you get in return is not measurable. When your team trusts you, they will have your back at times that you are not even aware of. It takes courage to be a Servant Leader. Do not be confused, a Servant Leader is a lot of things but weak is not one of them.
