Leadership styles are like fingerprints. They leave an unmistakable mark on whatever they touch and are unique to each individual. And while we don’t get to choose our fingerprints, we do get to choose how we lead those around us.
I’ve had the opportunity to see a wide variety of leadership styles. I gained most of my experience working at large corporations, but for 20 years I’ve been married to an entrepreneur who showed me the challenges that come with running your own business. I’ve learned that no matter the size of your organization or the scope of your role at work, you can be a leader. But deciding which leadership style is right for you takes time.
For me, servant leadership has proven to be the most effective approach. If you haven’t heard the term before, it’s the practice of ‘serving first’ and allowing your needs to be secondary to those of your colleagues and organization.
Here are five steps you can take as a servant leader:
1. Be humble.
Ego plays a huge role in your leadership style. I believe confidence balanced with humility is a recipe for leadership success. Don’t let personal pride get in the way of trying something new. Always assume someone in the room is smarter than you. You’ll learn more that way.
I see this kind of humility on a regular basis from Cynt Marshall, chief diversity officer of AT&T. She has an incredibly demanding job that requires a significant investment in time for all her internal and external commitments. But when you talk to her, she gives you 100 percent of her attention and makes it clear you’re her number one priority at that moment. She constantly uplifts her team by celebrating their great work, and she goes out of her way to make them look good. As a result, people follow her without question.
2. Trust your team.
In most cases, you hired the people on your team because you were confident in their abilities. Trust your intuition, and give up a little control. Creativity flourishes in an open environment, so don’t constrict your employees by involving yourself in smaller decisions that they can handle. Giving your team room to grow will benefit…