Are you a Servant Centric Leader?

I am in the process of defining what it takes to be a really great leader. As I work through it, I have narrowed it down to 6 blended types of leadership; one of them being The Servant Centric Leader.

This individual focuses on being of service to others. People drive their interest. They like to please, gain great satisfaction from building relationships, and enjoy working in a team-based environment.

The benefit to this leadership style is their understanding of how to get things done through others. They are instinctively in tune with how people think and feel. The Servant Centric Leader not only comprehends the needs of their employees, but they have a good handle on customer requirements as well. This leader draws a big following, is dedicated to aiding others and well-liked.

Yet, as in my previous blog about The Solution Based Leader, The Servant Centric Leader has its challenges. Too often they let their desire to please get in the way of making tough calls. They find difficulty making sound business decisions that may encompass cutting back on benefits, shrinking expenses, and even downsizing.

Entrepreneurs that fit this leadership style may have suffered the past few years because of their struggle between declining sales and tightening spending. They often held off on making hard-hitting choices until it was too late. The internal struggle The Servant Centric Leader faces can sometimes be paralyzing.

As I move forward in my studies of great leadership, I am finding that one needs to play many roles to meet the call for greatness. I have named them The Kaleidoscope Leader: where their success is based on the success of others. They rely on a multi-faceted approach to leading others blending various techniques to reach personal victory.

The traits of The Service Centric Leader are absolutely necessary in this quest for triumph. Yet, as with anything, excessive behavior – even when it is centered on serving others - can also be damaging.

Keep your leadership in check and be mindful that you need to blend many skills and talents to be great.

Great problem solvers = great leaders? Not always…

One of the things successful Entrepreneurs and Corporate Executives have in common is their ability to produce results. They are problem solvers, goal oriented and bottom line driven. Give them a difficult situation and within a matter of minutes they will offer a solution.

I call these individuals Solution Based Leaders.

I like these people. They are competitive and driven. Once they focus on a target, they just keep moving forward until they reach victory. They keep their eye on the ball.

Yet as good as they sound, they have a problem. And it’s a big one.

They believe, consciously or subconsciously, they are the only one that can solve anything. They’ve lived their life counting on their personal productivity and find relying on others difficult. They feel they have the right answers – the understanding of exactly what path to follow when achieving goals. They rule others by giving direction, doweling out orders and prefer to be in control.

As a Sole Proprietor or a new Supervisor, Solutions Based Leadership is a must. It is a necessary practice and the first step to achievement.

The problem appears when the Entrepreneur starts hiring employees and the Supervisor moves up the ladder.

Throughout this growing period the Solutions Based Leader needs to move toward Servant Based Leadership in order to sustain success. They must learn the only way they can continue on their path to victory is now through the accomplishments of their staff. It is a change from having all of the answers to letting others find the way. It is done through trust, delegation and letting go.

Without this paradigm shift in leadership the Entrepreneur’s business will fail and the Corporate Executive will be demoted or lose their job.

I guarantee it.

Catch my next blog where I will explain the role of the Servant Based Leader.

By Leadership Expert Trudy Jean Evans - TrudyEvans@TheRavenGroupInc.com