Servant Leadership: Guide With Pros & Cons + Examples

Servant leadership is a transformative approach where leaders prioritize the needs of others, fostering growth and empowerment within their teams.

At its core, this philosophy aligns closely with the strengths-based approach, which emphasizes identifying and leveraging individual talents. By taking the HIGH5 strengths assessment, aspiring servant leaders can gain crucial insights into their unique abilities, enabling them to serve others more effectively. This self-awareness not only enhances their capacity to put others’ needs first but also equips them to help team members reach their full potential.

While the path of a servant leader often involves personal sacrifices, the rewards are immeasurable – both in terms of personal growth and the positive impact on others. As we explore the nuances of servant leadership, consider how understanding your strengths can be the first step towards becoming an exceptional servant leader.

With that said, in this article, we will talk about the pros and cons of servant leadership, as well as some examples of how it can be used in the workplace and in your personal life.

Let’s get right into it.

What is Servant Leadership? Definition & Meaning

While some individuals seem to possess innate leadership qualities, the truth is that effective leadership, especially servant leadership, can be developed and refined. The key lies in self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth. By taking the HIGH5 strengths assessment, you can uncover your unique talents and learn how to apply them in a servant leadership context. This strengths-based approach not only enhances your ability to motivate and inspire others but also provides a solid foundation for practicing servant leadership principles.

Remember, servant leadership is not about being born with certain traits; it’s about leveraging your natural strengths to serve others effectively.

Pro Tip From HIGH5

Embrace your unique strengths as the foundation of your servant leadership style. Use the insights from your HIGH5 assessment to identify how your top strengths can be applied to serve others better. For instance, if ‘Empathizer’ is one of your strengths, use it to deeply understand and address your team’s needs.

Servant Leader: 10 Characteristics & Key Qualities

The following are ten characteristics of a servant leader:

1. A hallmark of servant leadership is humility and prioritizing others’ needs. This quality is deeply rooted in self-awareness, which can be significantly enhanced through tools like the HIGH5 strengths assessment. By understanding your own strengths and limitations, you’re better equipped to appreciate others’ contributions and put their needs first. For instance, if your HIGH5 results reveal ‘Empathizer’ as a top strength, you can leverage this to better understand and address your team’s needs, embodying true servant leadership.
2. A servant leader is someone who is compassionate and cares about the well-being of others
3. The servant leader is someone who is patient and takes the time to listen to others
4. The servant leader is someone who is selfless and is always willing to help others
5. A servant leader is someone who has a strong sense of integrity and always does the right thing
6. The servant leader is upbeat, even in difficult situations
7. The servant leader is visionary and always looks for ways to improve things
8. A servant leader is someone who has a strong sense of responsibility and takes care of those around them
9. The servant leader is someone who builds relationships based on trust and respect
10. The servant leader is someone who leads by example and sets the standard for others to follow

Servant Leadership Example

Some examples of best practices and uses of servant leadership are:

1. Helping people feel valued and appreciated. A good servant leader makes everyone feel important and valued, not just the people who are directly under them
2. Encouraging people to reach their full potential. A good servant leader will help people grow and develop their skills, both professionally and personally
3. Creating a positive work environment. A good servant leader creates a positive, supportive work environment where everyone feels comfortable taking risks and sharing ideas
4. Solving problems efficiently. A good servant leader can solve problems quickly and effectively, without causing upset or drama
5. Focusing on the big picture. A good servant leader can see the big picture and make decisions that are in the best interest of the team or organization, not just themselves.

The above are some examples of how servant leadership can be used in the workplace. But, it’s not just something that leaders can do. Everyone can practice this type of leadership in every interaction they have.

Best Jobs For Servant Leadership

Many jobs would be a good fit for someone with a servant leadership style.

Some of the best jobs for servant leaders include:

• Nurses
• Teachers
• Social Workers
• Psychologists
• Chaplains
• Doctors
• Lawyers
• Business Executives
• Civil Servants
• Military Personnel

These professions indeed demand individuals who prioritize others’ needs and possess strong compassion and integrity. However, excelling in these roles requires more than just a servant’s heart – it necessitates a deep understanding of one’s own strengths and how to apply them effectively. By taking the HIGH5 strengths assessment, professionals in these fields can identify their unique talents and learn how to leverage them in serving others. For instance, a nurse with ‘Problem Solver’ as a top strength can use this ability to find innovative ways to improve patient care, while a teacher strong in ‘Empathizer’ can create a more supportive and understanding classroom environment.

Pro Tip From HIGH5

When considering a career in servant leadership, align your job choice not only with your values but also with your strengths. Use your HIGH5 results to identify roles where your natural talents can have the most significant impact in serving others. This alignment will lead to greater job satisfaction and effectiveness in your servant leadership journey.

Servant Leadership Advantages and Disadvantages

List of 5 Pros of Servant Leadership

Some of the pros of servant leadership include:

• Servant leaders are focused on the needs of others, not themselves. This means that they are more likely to make decisions that are in the best interest of the team or organization, not just themselves
• Servant leaders create a positive, supportive work environment where everyone feels comfortable taking risks and sharing ideas
• Servant leaders can solve problems quickly and effectively, without causing upset or drama
• Servant leaders have a strong sense of integrity and always do the right thing
• Servant leaders are visionary and always look for ways to improve things

List of 5 Cons of Servant Leadership

Some of the cons of servant leadership include:

• While servant leaders excel at prioritizing others’ needs, they may sometimes overlook their own well-being. This tendency, however, can be mitigated through a strengths-based approach to leadership. By taking the HIGH5 strengths assessment, servant leaders can gain valuable insights into their personal strengths and potential blind spots. This self-awareness allows them to strike a healthier balance between serving others and maintaining their own well-being. For example, a leader with ‘Self-Believer’ as a top strength can use this to confidently set boundaries and ensure their own needs are met, ultimately becoming a more effective and sustainable servant leader.
• Servant leaders can often be taken advantage of because they are so willing to help others. They need to be careful not to let themselves get overwhelmed or burned out
• Servant leaders can be less effective when dealing with difficult situations or people who are resistant to change. Servant leaders may have difficulty making tough decisions that are not in the best interest of others
• Servant leaders can be seen as weak or ineffective by others who are not familiar with the concept of servant leadership

Pro Tip From HIGH5

Use your HIGH5 strengths profile to create a personal care plan that aligns with your natural talents. If ‘Deliverer’ is one of your top strengths, set personal growth goals alongside your service-oriented objectives. This balanced approach will help you avoid burnout and maintain long-term effectiveness as a servant leader.

Who Is a Good Example of a Servant Leader?

Many people in the world are good examples of servant leaders, but you might not know who they are. They haven’t shown themselves on TV very often and they’re not always in the spotlight.

You might know them as the quiet person who always goes above and beyond for others or the one who is always willing to lend a helping hand.

One of the most well-known examples of a servant leader is Mahatma Gandhi. He was an Indian political leader who fought for India’s independence from British rule.

After years of peaceful protests and civil disobedience, Gandhi helped lead India to independence in 1947. He is also well-known for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance

List of servant leaders

Other examples of servant leaders include:

• Mother Teresa: A Catholic nun who founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious order that assists the poor, sick, and dying
• Nelson Mandela: A South African political leader who fought against apartheid and was the first black president of South Africa
• Martin Luther King Jr.: An American Baptist minister and civil rights activist who fought for racial equality in the United States
• Dalai Lama: The spiritual leader of Tibet who has worked for years to promote peace and religious tolerance.

These are just a few examples of people who have demonstrated servant leadership throughout their lives. There are many more out there, both famous and unknown.

If you look around, you might be surprised at how many servant leaders there are in your community.

Bonus: What Is the Core & Main Role of a Servant Leader?

The main core of servant leadership is to serve others. This means that as a servant leader, you would put the needs of others above your own and do whatever you can to help them succeed.

A good servant leader gives a “piece of his energy” to encourage everyone at work and keep them motivated.

They create a positive, supportive work environment where everyone feels comfortable taking risks and sharing ideas.

A servant leader also has a strong sense of integrity and always does the right thing. In addition, they are visionary and always look for ways to improve things.

They have excellent communication skills and can build trust with others easily.

If you can embody these qualities, you are well on your way to becoming a great servant leader.

5 Amazing Books That Encourage Servant Leadership Style

The following are some great books to read when it comes to learning more about servant leadership.

Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness 25th Anniversary Edition, Robert Greenleaf

When servant leadership was less known than it is now, empowering employees caused many employers to reconsider their views about power and authority.

In this book, Greenleaf goes over many great ideas on how to motivate employees while at the same time being an effective leader.

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t, Simon Sinek

This book is all about the importance of creating a positive work environment.

It shows how happy employees lead to a more productive and successful workplace by emphasizing the idea that “leaders eat last.”

Great leaders put the well-being of their team above their own, and this book is a great guide on how to do just that.

The Servant Leader: How to Build a Creative Team, Develop Great Morale, and Improve Bottom-Line Performance, James A. Autry

Having been a Fortune 500 executive, Autry focuses on honesty, love, spirituality, and respect as the core ingredients for a productive workforce and how servant leadership is the key to unlocking them.

Increasing team morale and avoiding burnout in the workplace are essential skills for any leader and Autry does an excellent job of outlining how to do just that.

The Serving Leader: Five Powerful Actions That Will Transform Your Team, Your Business, and Your Community, Ken Jennings and John Stahl-Wert

This is a parable that features a dying father and the lesson he teaches his son about the power of servant leadership.

Through the story, Jennings and Stahl-Wert emphasize the importance of putting others first and how doing so can have a transformative effect on not just your team, but also your community as a whole.

The World’s Most Powerful Leadership Principle: How to Become a Servant Leader, James C. Hunter

If you think that being a servant leader means being like a leaf in the wind, then this book is for you.

Hunter outlines the characteristics of a servant leader and provides concrete examples of how to put them into practice.

He also debunks some of the myths that surround servant leadership and provides readers with the tools they need to become successful servant leaders themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions About Servant Leadership

What are the four main principles of servant leadership?

The four main principles of servant leadership are humility, listening, empathy, and stewardship.

These principles are meant to guide leaders in their interactions with others and their decision-making.

Using these principles in your leadership will help you create a more positive and productive environment.

What is the goal of servant leadership?

The goal of servant leadership is to serve others and help them reach their potential. This type of leader puts the needs of others first and works to empower them.

Servant leaders often have a strong moral compass and are motivated by making a difference in the lives of others.

How do you know if you are a servant leader?

If you find yourself frequently putting the needs of others before your own, then you may be a servant leader.

Other signs include being highly ethical, having a strong moral compass, and being motivated by making a difference in the world.

If you suspect you may be a servant leader, ask trusted colleagues and friends if they agree.