10 Principles of Servant Leadership Theory

clendar September 09, 2022

clendar 10 minutes

3979 Viewers

A proper framework for running and leading an organisation is mandatory for its growth. Many organisations follow a strict structure where the leader makes all the decisions. However, some companies prefer a liberal leadership approach, where they value the opinions and ideas of each member. The Servant Leadership Theory is perfect for the second category.

Servant Leadership Theory allows the members to contribute their ideas and views to the decision-making process. In addition, the servant leadership style creates the perfect ground for individual growth.

If you are new to Servant Leadership theory, this blog is what you need. Here, you will be able to learn about the fundamentals of this leadership method. Stay tuned!

What is Servant Leadership Theory?

Servant leadership theory is based on the idea that leaders will pay utmost attention to the growth of their followers. Robert Greenleaf, an American researcher, constructed this leadership theory. He defined this leadership method as a servant-first approach rather than a leader-first. The servant leadership theory emphasises an empathetic and cooperative relationship between leaders and followers.

In this method, a free-thinking environment is promoted. The leaders give the team members the right to be innovative and practice creativity. Another prominent characteristic is it allows other team members to develop leadership qualities. Through this leadership method, employees get the opportunity to grow and empower themselves. Here, the leader’s role is to serve the followers. It is their duty to work for the progress of the team and not for their self-interest.

However, this leadership theory is not appropriate for all sorts of situations. For example, in this theory, a leader must consider everyone’s opinions. So, servant leadership is not applicable in a situation where rapid actions need to be taken. Also, there are other Leadership and Management theories that would be more appropriate.

Leadership and Management

Acquire competence in the management procedures and build strong leadership expertise by manifesting the guidance provided by this course.

Enrol Now

Leadership and Management

Acquire competence in the management procedures and build strong leadership expertise by manifesting the guidance provided by this course.

Enrol Now

10 Principles of Servant Leadership Theory

Every leadership theory is based on different ideologies and concepts. They have their own sets of principles and characteristics. Similarly, the servant leadership theory is also established on core principles.

Here’s a list of 10 principles of servant leadership –

1. 1. Listening
2. 2. Empathy
3. 3. Healing
4. 4. Self-Awareness
5. 5. Persuasion
6. 6. Foresight
7. 7. Conceptualisation
8. 8. Stewardship
9. 9. Commitment to the Growth
10. 10. Building Community

The principles of servant leadership theory are briefly described below.

1. Listening

Listening is one of the core principles of servant leadership. In order to install this theory, the leaders have to ask questions to the followers. Asking questions and conducting conversations will help the leaders understand them better. Likewise, listening to the team members will give the leader a chance to gather the information required to support the team. In addition, listening to the team members is an effective way to show that they are valued and cared for.

Learn more about ‘The Importance of Listening Skills in Communication’ and how to improve your listening skills.

2. Empathy

When it comes to servant leadership, being empathetic is a must.

Empathy is understanding how others feel and responding to their emotions appropriately. Showing empathy is one of the most crucial steps to understanding the team. It allows leaders to learn why their team members are feeling a certain way. This helps in promoting effective communication between the team and the leader.

3. Healing

For the servant leadership theory to work, the team has to function together as a whole at each level. Hence, if one part is suffering from a problem, the team coordination will go off track. That is why leaders need to provide a healthy work environment. It’s an environment where the team members can have mental and emotional wellness.

Some team members may have faced hostility in their previous work environment. They also may come from a toxic work culture. They need to heal from their old experiences to perform. It is the responsibility of the team leader to support these individuals and help them heal.

4. Self-Awareness

Understanding the team members is not enough in servant leadership. And it demands that a leader should be well aware of their own weaknesses and strengths. Also, one should identify their limitations and work on self-development to become a good leader.

It is important for leaders to reflect on themselves and their decisions. As it will help them utilise their abilities, guide others in the right direction and effectively lead the team.

5. Persuasion

In servant leadership, there is no place for strict direction or practice of power. It is more about persuasion and collaboration. A servant leader persuades and convinces others to follow them. However, this is not the kind of persuasion used in sales. This persuasion is about making others see the same visions as the leader.

When the team members are able to see the vision, they become interested in investing themselves in achieving the goals. That is why persuasion has such significance in servant leadership.

6. Foresight

Foresight is the ability to learn from previous experiences and use the learnings in taking decisions in future. It is one of the key principles of servant leadership as it helps a team evolve and cope with new challenges.

In addition, foresight allows the team to avoid the techniques which failed previously. This prevents the team from wasting valuable time and helps them develop unique ideas for solving problems.

7. Conceptualisation

A servant leader must have the ability to see the big picture.

Along with that, they have to keep up with relevant information. They should be able to conceptualise the situation they are in right now. And also create a future vision for the organisation. Conceptualisation plays a part in developing the missions and values of an organisation. It also helps in modifying them when necessary.

8. Stewardship

Every member of the organisation has some duties and responsibilities towards their organisation. This means that every member contributes to achieving the goals, and it benefits everyone involved. In the servant leadership style, stewardship is highly promoted.

In order to create a functioning team, all the members must carry out the responsibilities. They should also manage the resources with honesty and integrity. Without stewardship, it is impossible to establish servant leadership within an organisation.

9. Commitment to the Growth of People

It is believed in servant leadership that people have intrinsic value. Therefore, the leaders focus on supporting the development of each individual. This is done by identifying the learning needs of every employee. Then they are provided with the proper training opportunities to meet those needs.

In order to help individuals grow, they must heal from their past. Hence, the leader first helps them heal, and then they will show the path to growth.

10. Building Community

Developing a sense of community is fundamental to servant leadership. It is important for the leader to take steps to cultivate a good relationship between the team members. Involving in social activities helps the team develop a strong bond and work in cohesion.

Community building also plays a crucial role in increasing empathy and corporation within the group. Along with that, when people feel a sense of community, the rate of conflict within a team reduces.

Learn more:

Here’s more on servant leadership from Ken Blanchard –

Pros and Cons of Servant Leadership Theory

The servant leadership theory is a mixed package. It has some advantages which make it ideal for some organisations. However, some factors make it unfit for certain types of organisations or situations. Both sides are explained below.

The Advantages of Servant Leadership

This leadership model has a handful of advantages, making it a good option for many organisations. The most prominent benefits of this theory are –

Servant leadership is effective in boosting team morale. The setting helps the member to stay motivated and loyal to their organisation. And the members feel valued and cared for when they are working under a servant leader.

The collaborative decision-making nature of servant leadership increases employee engagement. Also, this setting allows the employees to be innovative and creative. As a result, the employees are motivated and dedicated to the organisation they work for.

Moreover, servant leadership helps in building trust, compassion and empathy among the team members. In this leadership theory, the development and growth of the employees are ensured.

Therefore, this is the ideal setting for individual development. And when the members grow, their organisation grow with them.

The Disadvantages of Servant Leadership

Along with some excellent benefits, there are also some drawbacks to this leadership theory. Some of the drawbacks are –

It takes a long time to build up the environment for servant leadership. And comparatively, fewer leaders are aware of this leadership. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the leaders to implement them.

This leadership theory is not suitable for all sorts of organisations. There are many situations where the leaders have to take rapid action. For example, in a war zone, an army leader can’t afford to ask everyone their opinions. They have to make decisions as fast as possible.

In this leadership style, the leader has to take care of each individual in the team. Not only that, but they also have to lead the team toward the goals. Hence, sometimes it may get overwhelming for the leaders.

Coping up with this leadership type may require a difficult cultural change. Also, the leader may seem weak in this kind of leadership. In this style, the leader has to support each individual’s development. While doing so, the team may fail to achieve the goals of the organisation.

Regardless, being part of the team and setting people up for success can more than make up for the disadvantages posed by servant leadership.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Servant Leadership Theory

Servant leadership, a concept introduced by Robert K. Greenleaf in the 1970s, emphasizes the leader’s role as a servant first, prioritizing the needs of their team and fostering a culture of collaboration and support. This leadership style is rooted in the belief that effective leaders should empower and uplift their followers, ultimately creating a positive and productive work environment.

Strengths of Servant Leadership

One of the primary strengths of servant leadership is its focus on empowering others. By prioritizing the growth and well-being of team members, servant leaders create an inclusive environment where individuals feel valued and supported.

This leads to increased employee satisfaction and loyalty, fostering a deep sense of trust and respect within the organization. Such an environment encourages collaboration, creativity, and productivity, as team members are more inclined to contribute when they feel heard and appreciated.

Another significant strength of servant leadership is its ability to cultivate community. Leaders who adopt this style inspire a shared sense of purpose and collective responsibility among their team members. By promoting ownership of roles, servant leaders enhance employee engagement and connection to their work.

This often results in lower turnover rates, as individuals are more likely to stay in a supportive environment where their contributions are recognized. Such a culture is especially beneficial in industries that rely on skilled workers, where retention is vital for success.

Weaknesses of Servant Leadership

Despite its advantages, servant leadership has limitations. One notable weakness is that its focus on serving others can slow decision-making processes. In fast-paced environments, the emphasis on collaboration and consensus may hinder the ability to respond quickly to challenges, potentially affecting organizational efficiency. This can be problematic in situations where decisive action is crucial for success.

Additionally, servant leaders risk becoming overly self-sacrificial. While humility is a core principle, leaders who prioritize their team’s needs excessively may neglect their own well-being or the organization’s strategic goals.

This can lead to role confusion, where employees are uncertain about who to turn to for guidance. If not carefully balanced, this selflessness can result in burnout for leaders, undermining their effectiveness and the overall stability of the team.

Leadership and Management

Acquire competence in the management procedures and build strong leadership expertise by manifesting the guidance provided by this course.

Enrol Now

Leadership and Management

Acquire competence in the management procedures and build strong leadership expertise by manifesting the guidance provided by this course.

Enrol Now

Final Thoughts

Many leadership theories have developed over the years. These methods have different principles and concepts. They all have both drawbacks and advantages. It is up to the organisation to identify the correct theory. They can do that after considering the characterises, pros and cons.

That being said, servant leadership theory is an ideal option for you and your organisation if you prioritise your team’s growth and well-being over the organisation’s or your own ambitions.

If you want to learn more about effective leadership, this Leadership and Management course by One Education is the perfect place to start. It will introduce you to different leadership theories. And it will equip you with effective leadership skills. Enrol now!