A Conversation with a Servant Leader

 

by John Keyser

I am jazzed about a conversation I had with the president of a large, successful company this past week. His approach rings true to servant leadership.

Our conversation centered on helping 2015 be an outstanding year. While of course his company’s financials are critical, he is most focused on his team members, the people of his company. He knows that they drive the company’s success, and he wants them to feel encouraged, supported and aware that he is ready to help as needed.

First, he believes in leadership through conversations. He uses email for sharing information, and, as much as possible, he meets with people or at least picks up the phone for conversations.

Conversations are important to stay connected, and he strives to have a quality relationship with everyone on his team – and his team is everyone in the company!

Second, he shows trust in his team. He tries to assure clarity of expectations and goals and then empower his team to achieve. He knows his team is highly capable and dedicated.

Third, he considers the company’s culture—the spirit of their people—of paramount importance. He encourages his team to be entrepreneurial, to have a “we can do this, knock it out of the ball park attitude.” He fosters a collaborative atmosphere, where people share ideas, advice and feedback and help one another.

Fourth, he prioritizes helping his team members learn, grow and feel successful, which means providing personal and professional development opportunities, helpful feedback and feed forward and positive reinforcement.

Fifth, he recognizes that he must strive to continuously improve his leadership. As good a leader as he is, he is always trying to be better and is open to advice and feedback himself.

I feel privileged to have spent quality time with a leader who is focused on others, whose satisfaction and success comes from the satisfaction and success of his team members, all of them.

This is a top executive, a leader, with humility—and humility is the foundation of growth!

What a great way to head into 2015!