Leadership Listco Public Speaking

How CEO leadership practice matters

Editors

3 min read. By Daniel Chun

In a recent article by HBR (link) the author has discussed the importance of a well established theory in leadership practice called servant leadership.

Servant Leadership in the CEO’s Practice

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy where the goal of the leader is to serve, prioritizing the needs of employees and helping them develop and perform as highly as possible[2]. This approach has gained attention in recent years, as it has been linked to increased trust, loyalty, and satisfaction among followers[4].

In this blog post, we will explore how CEOs can implement servant leadership in their practice and how it can benefit their organizations.

The Benefits of Servant Leadership

Servant leadership can lead to several benefits for both the leader and the organization:

  1. Trust and Loyalty: By focusing on serving others, servant leaders can build trust and loyalty among their followers, leading to a more cohesive and productive team[4].
  2. Employee Engagement: Servant leadership encourages employees to feel purposeful, motivated, and energized, ultimately bringing their best selves to work[8].
  3. Innovation and Growth: By putting the needs of employees first, servant leaders can create a culture of learning and innovation, driving the organization towards growth and success[2].

How CEOs Can Implement Servant Leadership

Implementing servant leadership as a CEO involves several key practices:

  1. Empathy: A servant leader should demonstrate empathy towards their employees, understanding their needs and concerns, and being supportive in their development[2].
  2. Listening: Actively listening to others is crucial for a servant leader, as it helps them identify the will of the group and clarify that will[9].
  3. Delegation: Servant leaders should be willing to delegate tasks and decision-making to their employees, empowering them to take ownership and responsibility[2].
  4. Development: A servant leader should focus on developing leadership qualities in others, helping them grow and succeed in their roles[2].

Challenges and Solutions

While servant leadership can offer numerous benefits, there may be challenges in implementing it in an organization:

  1. Resistance to Change: Some employees may be resistant to a new leadership style, particularly if they have been accustomed to a more traditional, autocratic approach[3].
  2. Finding the Right Balance: Servant leaders must strike a balance between serving their employees and maintaining control over the organization, ensuring that the organization remains productive and successful[1].
  3. Adapting to Different Situations: Servant leadership may not be suitable for all situations, and CEOs should be able to adapt their leadership style to the needs of their employees and the organization[13].

In conclusion, servant leadership can be a powerful tool for CEOs looking to create a positive work environment, foster innovation, and drive growth in their organizations. By focusing on serving others and implementing key practices such as empathy, listening, delegation, and development, CEOs can create a more cohesive, productive, and successful organization.

Citations:
[1] The Outsized Benefits of “Minimalist” Leadership https://hbr.org/2023/12/the-outsized-benefits-of-minimalist-leadership
[2] Servant leadership – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servant_leadership
[3] CEO Leadership Styles: How to Discover Your Own | Vistage https://www.vistage.com/research-center/personal-development/leadership-competencies/20210719-leadership-styles/
[4] How to Be a Purpose-Driven Leader Without Burning Out https://hbr.org/2023/07/how-to-be-a-purpose-driven-leader-without-burning-out
[5] The Outsized Benefits of “Minimalist” Leadership – HBR Store https://store.hbr.org/product/the-outsized-benefits-of-minimalist-leadership/H07XY5
[6] What is Servant Leadership? – Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership https://www.greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/
[7] CEO Leadership Styles: Insights from Top Executives https://northwest.education/insights/career-growth/leadership-styles-of-top-company-ceos/
[8] How Humble Leadership Really Works https://hbr.org/2018/04/how-humble-leadership-really-works
[9] What is servant leadership? | Definition from TechTarget https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/definition/Servant-Leadership
[10] The mindsets and practices of excellent CEOs https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/the-mindsets-and-practices-of-excellent-ceos
[11] How to Become a Servant Leader – News https://www.hbs.edu/news/Pages/item.aspx?num=2614
[12] Servant Leadership: Characteristics, Pros & Cons, Example https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/servant-leadership.asp
[13] 4 CEO Leadership Styles (+ How to Implement Them) – CEO Networking | BEST CEOS GROUP & Entrepreneur Examples – CEO Hangout https://ceohangout.com/4-ceo-leadership-styles-how-to-implement-them/
[14] Servant Leadership Theory https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/leadership-skills-daily/servant-leadership-theory/
[15] Servant Leadership: Definition Plus Benefits and Drawbacks https://www.betterup.com/blog/servant-leadership-what-makes-it-different
[16] Reading Your CEO’s Leadership Style https://www.heidrick.com/en/insights/diversity-inclusion/a_guide_to_reading_your_ceos_leadership_style
[17] Harvard Business Review – Servant Leadership https://journalfeed.org/article-a-day/2018/harvard-business-review-servant-leadership/
[18] 10 Principles of Servant Leadership (With Examples) | Indeed.com https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/servant-leadership
[19] Be a leader, not just a manager https://www.ceoinstitute.com/leadership-training/leadership-styles
[20] Council Post: Why Servant Leadership Is More Important Than Ever https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/05/26/why-servant-leadership-is-more-important-than-ever/
[21] Servant Leadership – Putting Your Team First, and Yourself Second – Mind Tools https://www.mindtools.com/ad648ub/servant-leadership
[22] 12 leadership styles of the most successful CEOs ever – Ladders https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/12-leadership-styles-of-the-most-successful-ceos-ever
[23] Switching From Servant to ‘Noble-Purpose’ Leadership https://www.pcma.org/noble-purpose-leadership/
[24] 10 Leadership Styles For CEOs – Chief Executives Council https://chiefexecutivescouncil.org/10-leadership-styles-for-ceos/
[25] Building Stronger Communities: The Role of Servant Leadership in the Modern World https://leaders.com/articles/leadership/servant-leadership/