In business, because time is fast in this competitive world, companies are always looking for the most effective leadership styles to move forward. Although many organizations focus on authoritarian or democratic approaches to leadership, much remains overlooked, and one of the biggest influences on a company’s success appears to be employee leadership.
Servant leadership is a method whose philosophy supports the leader in serving his team and the organization instead of gaining power or personal benefits. This type of approach emphasizes the development of employees and their well-being, thereby creating an environment of trust and empowerment.
Benefits of Servant Leadership
Servant leadership has had a significant positive impact on various aspects of organizational performance. In 2019, a University of Illinois at Chicago study found that employee leadership was positively related to employee engagement, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. The Journal of Business Ethics published in 2020 a study showing that employee leadership had a positive relationship with higher levels of creativity and innovation in employees.
Servant leadership is important because it creates atmosphere in the workplace. Leaders who put their team’s needs first empower them with a greater sense of value and support. It is known to increase job satisfaction and the ability to reduce turnover and improve well-being.
Servant Leadership Through Action
One of the companies buying into the power of servant leadership is Zappos, an online shoe and clothing retailer that stands out for its superior service. Zappos values building a great company culture and does it with a strong heart and basic servant leadership. The CEO of this company, Tony Hsieh, spoke and acknowledged the leadership of the workers. He says, “Our priority is company culture. Our whole belief is that if you get the culture right, most other things like delivering great customer service or building a long-term, sustainable product will happen automatically. “
Zappos’ employee leadership is paying off because the company has been among the best companies to work for with the highest employee retention. In 2021, Fortune magazine ranked Zappos as one of the “Best Companies to Work For.”
Servant Leadership through Action
The benefits of servant leadership are obvious, yet effective implementation can be challenging. A servant leader must definitely change his way of thinking from the traditional way of top-down leadership, and put the needs of the group first. Here are the key steps to implementing employee leadership:
Lead by example: Servant leaders walk the talk. They should model what they expect their employees to demonstrate and practice in the workplace, including compassion, humility, and maturity.
Empower your team: Servant leaders empower your team by allowing them to have the autonomy and support as that team needs to work. Servant leaders believe in the abilities of their employees and allow them to make decisions and manage their work.
Development focus: Servant leaders are concerned with the development and growth of their subordinates. They coach, mentor, learn and encourage each other.
Encouraging teamwork: A staff leader provides an atmosphere full of trust and cooperation, which makes employees feel free to express ideas and work together to achieve goals.
The success of a servant leader is measured by employee engagement, job satisfaction, and other key performance indicators. They gain this knowledge to improve their leadership skills and, subsequently, the team’s workplace.
The conclusion
In summary, employee leadership is an effective way for organizations to foster an excellent work environment, drive employee engagement and innovation, and achieve greater success. It is not one of the most recognized leadership styles, but it is one that companies can no longer ignore; by embracing the principles of servant leadership and putting their team first, leaders unlock the full potential of their organization and create a lasting impact on employees and the business as a whole.
Source link
