Servant leadership is who you can help and grow in your team. Your values are important in serving others and turning up everyday consistently. The biggest challenge lays ahead for our workforce.
The opportunities are ahead of you. Your people are your most important part of your organisation. Leading with empathy is crucial in times of crisis. Let your people know you understand the situation and that you are open to feedback in how you can lead and help them. The key here as a leader is how you react to feedback and to be open minded. Be neutral in your stance and facial expressions as this will imply an openness from who you seek feedback from. Your people are your biggest asset and investing in them in times of crisis is a sure way of helping them feel safe and secure.
In a talk with world renowned Executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, Professor Sanyin Siang talks about the importance of your reactions to feedback. As leaders feedback in needed in times of crisis and to be open-minded on how it can either help you or make the other person not come back to you! Which one would you prefer?
Leading teams virtually is a challenge and a similar approach which you would need to be aware of the complexities of home life. Research is showing that you work longer at home than at work and the balance has shifted to the extremities where life balance is urgently needed.
Implement the learnings of earlier lock-downs to be kind to self and to others, to be empathetic and to lead in serving your team and colleagues. For many Countries the beginning of 2021 has been challenging and many leaders are adapting and thriving. Practicing a servant mindset is just that 'Practise'. This may seem unnatural to the do what I say type of leadership rather than asking how I can help you. Start with the small things and have a goal which starts with why you want to implement a servant mindset. Once you know your purpose of serving others then it can be a much smoother transition that will take awhile. Nothing ever good happens overnight so you need to be really strategic and implement empathy, kindness and gratitude.
"Servant Leadership is all about making the goals clear and then rolling up your sleeves up and doing whatever it takes to help people win. In that situation, they don't work for you, you work for them." Ken Blanchard
