In addition to writing, editors tend to do a lot of reading. Our feet hit the floor with the goal of sharing valuable news and insights to our readers. Seeking and finding quality intel tops the daily To Do list. Finding nuggets of wisdom from fellow writers is like finding a penny on a walk. Such was the case when I came across a particularly valuable article by Marcel Schwantes recently. A speaker, leadership coach, author and executive advisor, he recently wrote and published an online feature for Inc., which was shared by the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) in its Dec. 9 Industry Advisor. In it, Schwantes made the case for servant leadership as a fundamental, foundational best practice. It is, as I often offer to my children when sharing similar items, too good not to share. In the spirit of the holiday season, it seems everyone can benefit from the gifts that come from servant leadership.
In his article, “It’s Official: How to Be a Servant Leader Comes Down to 6 Behaviors, Says Research,” Schwantes tapped the work of Dr. Jim Laub, who conducted research on organizational leadership, from which he identified six key leadership behaviors that Schwantes says are “essential to fostering a thriving culture. These behaviors are rooted in the principles of Servant Leadership, a people-centric approach where leaders prioritize serving others, creating environments of trust, engagement and productivity.”
As I see it, servant leadership is a gift that keeps giving. Putting the fundamentals into practice across an organization, community or a family — whether across a cross-functional team, dealer network, academic institution or family — brings both measurable and intangible value.
He offered these behaviors from research and best practices implemented by some of the leading companies in the country which continually find servant leadership a force multiplier for success of their people and their bottom line.
- They demonstrate raw authenticity
- They grow themselves and others
- They value their people
- They build community
- They provide direction and a way forward
- They share their power and grow other leaders
Schwantes offered additional nuggets of wisdom which take the form of actionable insights for those focused on continuous improvement. A few of the more compelling ideas he shared on servant leaders follow. “They gladly accept the role of learners because they know it will make them better. They know that each person has something important to teach them.” He also reinforced a positive culture that supports overarching goals, saying, “Collaboration in servant-led cultures is palpable, as fear is pumped out of the room and people become liberated to innovate, create, communicate, and engage.”
On the importance of valuing people, he says, “When the leader maintains a high regard for each team member, showing respect and dignity and believing in their abilities, it creates a sense of safety. People feel valued and are more likely to contribute their best ideas.”
He also offered a fundamental principle followed by those engaged in servant leadership, often referred to as selfless leadership, writing, “In highly effective organizations, leaders are at every level, not just at the top. The solution is always to push authority down to create a leader-leader culture.”
As to the next steps, the author notes, “The path to success is clear, but we must remind ourselves that leadership is a journey. Only those dedicated to continuous learning and growth have a competitive advantage.”
While the leadership team at Lessiter Media tends to hide their light under the proverbial publishing bushel, one of many reasons for joining them was their focus on service journalism. In the months since starting, the myriad ways they practice servant leadership — in supporting the industry, dealers, manufacturers, farmers, staff and community — has not been lost on me. All gifts that keep giving, and yield success on many levels.
‘Tis the season to tune into wisdom and as we head into the new year, adopt the quote from poet Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Here’s to good health, continuous improvement and servant leadership for and by all.
