How Servant Leadership Builds Stronger Teams

Servant leadership turns traditional leadership on its head by prioritizing the growth and wellbeing of the team ahead of authority or control. This people-first approach encourages leaders to support and empower their employees, creating an environment where everyone  feels valued.

Whether you’re scaling a team or refining your management style, explore the core servant leadership principles and how putting people first can drive lasting success. 

Servant Leadership Defined

Robert Greenleaf coined the term “servant leadership” in his 1970 essay, “The Servant as Leader.” At the heart of his philosophy is a simple but powerful idea: The best leaders put the needs of others before their own.

Unlike traditional leadership styles in management, servant leadership prioritizes empathy, active listening, and support. It's a transformational approach that promotes collaboration and guidance over hierarchy and power.

Servant leaders aren’t motivated by authority or recognition — they’re driven by a commitment to helping others succeed. The people-centered mindset fosters a culture of respect and accountability that benefits individuals and companies alike. 

If time-consuming tasks are pulling your attention, consider hiring an Athena Assistant. They can manage the details so you can focus on what matters most: your people. 

Top Characteristics of a Servant Leader

Servant leadership is rooted in distinct leadership characteristics that shape how leaders support their teams. The following qualities define how servant leaders show up:

• Acting with integrity: A servant leader’s actions consistently align with their principles, building credibility and trust across the team.
• Prioritizing the needs of others: Servant leaders invest time and energy into helping others develop their skills and confidence. They don’t measure success by personal achievements but by the team's progress.
• Communicating with clarity and empathy: A servant leader listens attentively and makes space for honest conversation. They recognize that how something is said matters as much as the message itself.
• Anticipating challenges: Servant leaders don’t react to problems — they anticipate and address potential issues before they occur. This proactive mindset helps teams stay prepared.
• Understanding the bigger picture: A servant leader knows how their decisions affect people, departments, and outcomes. This awareness helps them make choices that benefit everyone.
• Leading by example: Servant leaders model the values they expect from their team, such as honesty, accountability, and consistency. They earn trust through daily actions.

Pros and Cons of Servant Leadership

Like any management style, servant leadership has its strengths and limitations. Understanding both can help leaders decide when and how to apply its principles effectively.

Pros of Servant Leadership

Here’s a breakdown of the meaningful advantages servant leadership can offer. 

Leaders earn respect through action

Servant leaders earn respect by prioritizing the team’s needs and putting their wellbeing above ego, inspiring greater commitment and collaboration. Over time, this creates a culture where respect is mutual and leadership is defined by actions, not just titles.

Teams align around a shared vision

Rather than imposing direction, servant leaders welcome team members’ insights and help them see how their contributions support broader business goals. This inclusive approach unites teams around a common purpose and drives alignment without coercion. 

Employee input leads to smarter decisions

Servant leaders listen closely, welcome diverse perspectives, and foster open dialogue. This input leads to more thoughtful, well-rounded decisions and boosts team engagement in the outcome. 

The culture supports individual growth

With a focus on personal and professional development, servant leaders actively support learning and growth. When this is embedded into the team culture, it fuels innovation, confidence, and continuous improvement.

Cons of Servant Leadership

While servant leadership can be valuable, it also presents challenges. Here are the key pitfalls to watch for.

It may be misunderstood

Because servant leadership departs from traditional team norms, it’s often misunderstood or dismissed — some may view serving others as a sign of weakness. Without clear explanation of the style and its benefits, team members might hesitate to adopt it. 

It may require a cultural shift

Implementing servant leadership often calls for a deep change in mindset, redefining authority and communication in the workplace. This cultural shift can feel uncomfortable, and leaders may encounter resistance unless they develop strong commitment and buy-in from teams.

It can slow decision-making

Prioritizing collaboration can lengthen the decision-making process. While this may lead to better outcomes, it can frustrate teams accustomed to faster, more directive leadership, particularly in high-pressure environments where pace is critical. 

It may exceed the leader’s capacity 

Servant leaders are expected to support, coach, and communicate — all while managing their own responsibilities. Without the right tools and executive coaching, these demands can quickly become overwhelming, particularly for leaders new to the role or those managing large, complex teams. 

3 Servant Leadership Examples

Servant leadership is a philosophy embraced by some of the world’s most influential leaders. Here are three examples of servant leadership in action.

1. Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks 

Howard Schultz served as CEO of Starbucks from 1987 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2017. During his tenure, Schultz exemplified servant leadership by putting employee wellbeing and dignity at the forefront of the company’s values. He was one of the first well-known CEOs to offer comprehensive healthcare benefits to part-time workers. Schultz also introduced stock options through the “Bean Stock” program, reinforcing his belief that employees should share in organizational success. Schultz frequently visited Starbucks stores to speak to baristas and managers directly, fostering a culture of respect and open communication.

2. Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever

As CEO of Unilever from 2009 to 2019, Paul Polman embraced servant leadership by shifting the company’s focus from short-term profits to long-term sustainability. His leadership philosophy prioritized employee wellbeing and encouraged open dialogue across the organization. Under Polman’s stewardship, Unilever developed a purpose-driven culture that balanced business growth with social responsibility, redefining success and empowerment in a global, values-driven organization.

3. Susan Wojcicki, former CEO of YouTube

Susan Wojcicki embodied servant leadership at YouTube by consistently putting the needs of creators, users, and employees at the center of her decision-making. While she was CEO from 2014 to 2023, Wojcicki championed fairer monetization opportunities and worked to ensure creators had a voice in shaping YouTube’s future. She also prioritized transparency, often addressing community concerns directly through blog posts and public updates. Internally, Wojcicki fostered a supportive culture and advocated for parental leave, diversity, and workplace inclusion. Wojcicki’s service-first mindset and empathetic leadership style helped YouTube navigate significant changes while maintaining trust with its global community.

Get Started With an Athena Assistant

Servant leadership is about making space for others to succeed — and that starts with removing distractions so you can focus on leading your team. Athena Assistants help you do just that, handling tasks that drain your time and energy.

Your assistant manages the moving parts — calendar, inbox, logistics — letting you stay present and creating an environment of trust. If you’re ready to build a people-first culture, get started with an Athena Assistant today.

‍