What is servant leadership? That term gets used a lot within church circles, but what does it mean to be a servant leader, especially in the context of the workplace?
The Crisis of Trust in Leadership
One of the major challenges throughout the years has been the obstacle of people not trusting their leaders. With scandals involving top-level government officials and mega-church pastors, people have a distrust of leadership. These scandals and the growing distrust in people lower morale and erode the main currency of relationships. A leader or manager of a company will not start in the “black” when it comes to the relational currency of trust. They will, unfortunately, begin in the “red,” or in other words, with a deficit. This means that the incumbent leader will have the challenging task of earning trust, boosting morale, and enhancing overall efficiency.
The workers are probably assuming their leader does not care about them. They may think that the leader prioritizes money, ease, and image management. The leader will have to overcome all these misconceptions. Additionally, if a leader is a Follower of Christ, they may have a greater deficit compared to those who don’t share the same values. So, how does a leader overcome all of this? Where would they start to build trust?
The Starting Point: Servant Leadership as the Solution
Servant leadership may seem like a buzzword, but it is the top way to accomplish this goal. It is also a mandate for those who follow Christ. In Matthew 20:28, Jesus tells his disciples, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (NLT). Christ set the example of being a servant leader. The disciples were astonished when Jesus washed their feet, a task considered among the most humble that one person could perform for another. He shows us the divine way of leadership: servant leadership.
Servant Leadership vs. Cultural Norms
This type of leadership is built upon humility and helping others reach their fullest potential. In fact, it is an upside-down leadership approach when examining culture.
Culture presents leaders who are focused on image, power, success, and their own platforms. These are self-promoting leaders. This type of leadership will not gain influence or foster great morale within an organization. It causes resentment and lower efficiency.
A faith-based servant leadership model does the opposite. It is attractive. People want to follow authentic, humble leaders who believe in them and want to see them grow. Everyone has that story of a teacher or coach who believed in them when they didn’t believe in themselves. Their stories all share a common denominator of hope and self-esteem. Those people are etched in the “hall of fame” of their minds forever. Why? They focused on helping them, they believed in them when possibly no one else would, and they put their needs in front. This is why they are special. And this is the model of servant leadership.
Faith-Based Leadership in a Secular Workplace
In a culture that is indifferent towards the Christian faith, this type of leadership would be rejected or impossible to integrate into the secular workplace. This type of thinking may cause Christ Followers to hide their faith and succumb to “self-promoting leadership.” However, in this culture, the workplace is in desperate need of leaders who will apply the principles of the Christian faith through servant leadership. The workplace can undergo a healthy transformation through this type of servant leadership.
Four Benefits of Faith-Centered Servant Leadership
1. Cultural Transformation through Purpose
Servant leadership brings a cultural shift to organizations. Most organizations have uninspired employees. They do not enjoy their jobs because of a lack of fulfillment. Morale is usually low because they don’t feel cared for on a personal level. The employees feel like everything is utilitarian. Servant leadership solves all these problems. Faith-based servant leadership can help people recognize that God is using them to address the issues of others. They are a bridge from someone’s problem to the solution. This type of perspective shift can lead to a cultural transformation within an organization. It reignites the “why” behind the task, which brings a greater sense of purpose to the employee.
2. Creating Collaboration through Humility
Faith-centered leadership practices create collaboration. Humility is one of the greatest attributes of a Follower of Christ. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humility is lived out by working well with others, by being able to see their strengths. This is why faith-centered leadership practices create collaboration. The faith of a Follower of Christ should not put them in a bubble or on a moral pedestal. Instead, it should be able to disagree with someone else’s faith and still work in harmony with them for the greater good of the organization. Collaboration is essential to maximize the team’s potential. When a leader is emotionally healthy and humble, they can hear other ideas and apply best practices learned from different organizations.
3. Boosting Morale and Momentum
Servant leadership boosts morale, which in turn brings momentum to an organization. When a leader is humble and helps each person see the greater “why” of the job, then it creates higher morale among the team. Morale refers to how each person feels about themselves, how they are treated, and how much they enjoy their job. A servant leader is not just about the bottom line of production. They are about the person, and each person matters to them. This means that the job will matter more to each person.
4. Driving Results by Valuing People
Faith-centered servant leadership can yield greater results. In the workplace, the bottom line is profit. However, the way to achieve more profits is not to run people into the ground. It is by lifting them up. A happier employee is a more productive employee. The leader needs to see how to make each employee more fulfilled in their job. Sometimes, it’s just about listening to the employee so they can feel heard. Most employees feel like they do not have a voice. When an employee feels like they have a voice, they also feel like they contribute to improvements within the organization.
Living Out Faith through Everyday Leadership
Servant leaders can integrate their faith into the workplace by simply caring for those around them, by showing them that they matter. Practical examples of this include taking the time to ask about an employee’s family or if they are going through a difficult time, and letting them know that you will be praying specifically for them. Of course, buying lunch for the team or bringing donuts for breakfast is always a great idea as well.
How to Grow as a Servant Leader
The most effective way to develop as a servant leader is to become an expert in your field. This means the leader will need to read books, listen to podcasts, and learn from others who are doing it well. In today’s world, there are countless resources on the subject. A few resources that will help are those from Patrick Lencioni, John C. Maxwell, and Giant Leadership.
The Ultimate Goal: Gospel Conversations Through Leadership
Faith-centered, servant leadership should not only enhance morale, collaboration, and results, but the most significant outcome is “Gospel conversations.” These are open doors that God provides for us to discuss our faith in Christ. People will not be open to listening to someone who doesn’t live it, though. This is why living out faith is the most critical aspect of being a servant leader. Even though most people in the workplace probably have never read one of the Gospels, hopefully, they can see the Gospel lived out by the leader.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions employers might ask:
1. What is servant leadership, and why is it important in the workplace?
Servant leadership is an approach to leadership that focuses on serving others over oneself. This approach emphasizes humility and empathy, prioritizing the development of the team. The leader’s role shifts from that of an authority figure to a coach, mentor, and advocate.
2. Can servant leadership be practiced in secular or non-religious workplaces?
Yes! Although rooted in biblical principles, servant leadership focuses on universally valued traits such as empathy, humility, and integrity. Christian and non-Christian leaders can model care and servant-mindedness without being overtly religious, as this approach builds trust by fostering respect, collaboration, and a shared purpose.
3. What are the benefits of servant leadership in the workplace culture?
There are many benefits to servant leadership in the workplace:
- Culture & Morale Benefits – Employees discover a sense of purpose and feel more fulfilled and valued.
- Collaboration & Productivity Benefits – Servant leadership fosters openness, humility, and mutual respect. Ideas are more easily shared, and employees are empowered to take action.
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