Servant Leadership: The Power of Leading by Serving

Servant leadership isn’t about titles, authority, or control—it’s about service, impact, and empowerment. While traditional leadership focuses on power and hierarchy, servant leadership prioritizes people, purpose, and long-term growth. For over 25 years, I’ve been refining my servant leadership philosophy—13 years in nonprofit work and decades of hands-on experience in corporate, coaching, and organizational transformation. This article explores what servant leadership truly is, why it matters, and how to cultivate it for lasting success.

Josh Ether

2/2/20254 min read

What Is Servant Leadership?

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy that flips the traditional model on its head. Instead of focusing on power, authority, or personal gain, a servant leader puts the needs of their team, organization, and community first.

The term was first coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in 1970 in his essay The Servant as Leader. Greenleaf argued that great leaders emerge not because they seek to lead, but because they have an innate desire to serve. Leadership, then, is a byproduct of service, empathy, and responsibility.

Key Characteristics of Servant Leadership (Based on Greenleaf's Work)

Listening – True leadership starts with understanding others before making decisions.
Empathy – Seeing the world through the eyes of your people.
Healing – Helping individuals and organizations recover, grow, and thrive.
Awareness – Self-awareness and organizational awareness drive better decisions.
Persuasion – Influence, rather than authority, builds long-term trust.
Conceptualization – Seeing the big picture beyond daily operations.
Foresight – Anticipating the impact of actions before making decisions.
Stewardship – Taking responsibility for the people and resources entrusted to you.
Commitment to Growth – Prioritizing personal and professional growth of those you lead.
Building Community – Fostering collaboration over competition.

These principles apply whether you lead a nonprofit, a corporate team, or an entire industry.

Why Servant Leadership Is More Relevant Than Ever

Leadership has evolved. The command-and-control style of leadership that once dominated corporate environments is no longer sustainable in today’s workforce. Employees are demanding trust, empowerment, and purpose from their leaders.

Research-Backed Benefits of Servant Leadership:

📈 Higher Employee Engagement:

A 2014 study in The Leadership & Organization Development Journal found that servant leadership leads to higher job satisfaction and engagement. Employees feel more valued and connected to their work.

💡 Increased Innovation & Collaboration:

Research from Frontiers in Psychology (2019) shows that servant-led teams are more innovative, as employees feel psychologically safe to share new ideas.

🔄 Lower Turnover & Stronger Retention:

A 2021 study in The Journal of Business Ethics found that organizations with servant leaders experience significantly lower turnover, as employees are more likely to stay in environments that prioritize their well-being and development.

🏆 Long-Term Business Success:

Companies like Southwest Airlines, TDIndustries, and The Container Store have all integrated servant leadership principles into their cultures, and they consistently rank among the best places to work.

Why It’s Even More Critical in Nonprofit & Mission-Driven Work

Having spent 13 years in the nonprofit world, I’ve seen firsthand how servant leadership drives real impact. Unlike corporate environments where financial incentives are key motivators, nonprofits thrive on mission, purpose, and people.

In nonprofits, burnout, lack of resources, and emotional exhaustion are common challenges. Servant leadership helps by:
✅ Keeping mission alignment strong—leaders set the tone by living the values they expect from their teams.
✅ Encouraging collaboration over competition, ensuring resources are shared for collective impact.
✅ Building resilience and longevity, creating healthier workplace cultures that sustain long-term change.

But servant leadership isn’t just for nonprofits—it’s an essential mindset for all leaders.

My Servant Leadership Journey (Since 1998)

For over 25 years, I’ve been committed to learning, refining, and living servant leadership.

1998: I first encountered the concept of servant leadership and realized that true leadership isn’t about authority, but responsibility.
Nonprofit Work (2000-2013): Led teams in mission-driven environments, seeing firsthand how leading with service transformed organizational cultures.
Corporate & Coaching Work (2013-Present): Applied servant leadership in business, tech, Agile, and coaching—proving that people-centered leadership is the future.

What I’ve Learned Over the Years:

Servant Leadership Isn’t Soft – It’s one of the most demanding leadership styles because it requires selflessness, patience, and courage.
It Requires Humility – You don’t have all the answers, and you never will. Servant leadership means empowering others to step up.
It’s About Action, Not Words – Leadership is what you do when no one is watching. Titles don’t make leaders—actions do.

How to Become a Servant Leader (Practical Steps)

If you want to lead by serving, here’s how to start:

🔹 Shift Your Mindset: Stop thinking about leadership as "being in charge"—instead, focus on "being responsible for the people you lead."
🔹 Listen First, Speak Last: Make it a habit to listen deeply before making decisions.
🔹 Empower Others: Your job isn’t to do everything yourself—it’s to make others successful.
🔹 Ask, "How Can I Help?" Start every leadership conversation by offering support.
🔹 Prioritize People Over Profits: Long-term success comes when people feel valued, trusted, and empowered.
🔹 Lead by Example: Never ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.

Final Thoughts: Servant Leadership is the Future

Power-driven leadership is fading. Employees, organizations, and communities thrive when leaders put people before ego, service before control, and impact before personal gain.

Having spent decades learning and practicing servant leadership, I can say this with certainty:

✅ Servant leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room—it’s about lifting others up so they can shine.
✅ It isn’t about controlling outcomes—it’s about creating environments where people feel safe, trusted, and empowered.
✅ And most importantly, it’s not about you—it’s about what you build, who you serve, and how you leave things better than you found them.

Are You Ready to Lead Differently?

Servant leadership isn’t just a concept—it’s a commitment. It’s the difference between leaders who demand compliance and leaders who inspire greatness.

I challenge you to start today: Find one way to serve, support, or empower someone in your circle—and watch the impact unfold.