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Leadership Term

Servant Leadership

Definition

A leadership philosophy where the primary goal of the leader is to serve others. Servant leaders prioritize the growth, well-being, and empowerment of their team members, creating environments where people can develop and perform at their best.

Key Principles

  • Put team members' needs first
  • Focus on developing others
  • Lead by example through service
  • Build community and collaboration
  • Share power and decision-making

Examples in Practice

  • A manager who asks 'What obstacles can I remove for you?' in every one-on-one
  • A leader who advocates for team members' career growth, even when it means losing them
  • An executive who handles administrative tasks to free up the team's time for meaningful work

Related Terms

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to recognize, understand, manage, and effectively use emotions in yourself and others. In leadership, emotional intelligence enables better communication, conflict resolution, and team dynamics.

Delegation

The process of assigning responsibility and authority to team members to complete specific tasks or projects. Effective delegation develops team capabilities while allowing leaders to focus on their highest-impact work.

Psychological Safety

A shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking. Team members feel confident they won't be punished, humiliated, or rejected for speaking up with questions, concerns, mistakes, or new ideas.

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