When it comes to our careers, titles are highly attractive and are often a point of negotiation during job interviews. Titles like President, CEO, Director, Senior Manager, Vice President, Supervisor, and Team Leader are only a few of the many labels that sound important and make us feel valuable. One title that you will seldom see is “servant” which does not sound all that impressive. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Not everybody can be famous. But everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service.” “Servant” isn’t a title. Rather, it is an attitude that should be reflected in every team member regardless of status or title and not just in those who are morally focused or spiritually minded.
When you think of the ultimate servant, Jesus certainly may come to mind. But aside from him, we all fall short in some ways and have bad days. The residue of selfishness, greed, and entitlement resides at the depth of who we are. But if you were to ask those around you for an honest perspective, I bet you would be affirmed for at least some of the traits of a servant leader. Being a servant is not about perfection – it’s about progress. If you want to be someone known for showing up at work with an attitude of a servant, consider these 12 traits of servant leaders.
1. They put themselves in the shoes (or seat) of others on the team.
Often referred to as empathy, the person who serves others intentionally strives to feel what it must be like to experience what another person is facing.
2. They look beyond their own interests.
While it is normal and reasonable to look out for your own needs, the servant goes beyond this to look out for the interests and needs of others, including workload and compensation.
3. They perform their job high above the average person.
Those who are servants don’t uphold the “servant” tag and yet demonstrate poor work skills or habits. It’s just the opposite. A servant strives toward excellence.
4. They speak well of others or stay quiet.
This does not refer to the critical talk that sometimes can emerge when evaluating performance. Rather, it refers to the destructive talk behind someone’s back. The servant strives to speak well or shut up.
5. They are courageous to do what is right regardless of the risks to their own security.
Read any story of someone who received the Congressional Medal of Honor, and you will see courage. While most of us aren’t as amazing as a Medal of Honor recipient, a servant will show courage by wisely doing what is right.
6. They lead without a high need for recognition.
Like most people, the servant still likes to be recognized for their accomplishments. But the difference is that the servant’s motive is to have a positive impact rather than to get recognition or credit.
7. They serve even when there is no reciprocity from those they are serving.
It is easy to serve those who give back or appreciate it. But the servant serves even when others do not reciprocate. They serve with few conditions, all for the greater good.
8. They respect others by striving to genuinely listen to them.
Robert Greenleaf, who popularized the concept of “servant leadership” in the modern age, said, “A true servant automatically responds to any problem by listening first.”
9. They regularly ask others, “How can I help you?”
While some traits of a servant are by nature harder to measure, this one is a demonstrable action. It is self-evident when they regularly ask others, “How can I help you?” or, “What can I do for you?”
10. They show loyalty to their teammates.
How does a servant show loyalty to their team? By doing things like not gossiping, looking out for the team’s interests, warning them of possible danger, and, as previously stated, offering to help them when they need it.
11. They are humble enough to ask for help, seek advice, and apologize.
The servant understands that we are all imperfect, and they are humble enough to ask for help and admit when they have made a mistake.
12. They strive for fairness in their dealings with others.
Whether it is how to spread out the workload, give performance feedback, or deal with issues of compensation, the servant strives for fairness. While no one does this perfectly, the servant still makes it a priority.
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Jay Desko is the President & CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.
