what is servant leadership

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy that prioritizes the growth, well-being, and empowerment of employees and communities to which they belong. It is different from traditional leadership, which focuses on the success of the company or organization. The term "servant leadership" was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in his essay "The Servant as Leader" in 1970. According to Greenleaf, the most important characteristic of being a servant leader is to make it your priority to serve rather than to lead. Servant leaders share power, put the needs of others first, and help people develop and perform as highly as possible. They demonstrate characteristics such as empathy, listening, stewardship, and commitment to the personal growth of others. Servant leadership is a transformational leadership style that can help foster trust, accountability, growth, and inclusion in the workplace.