Here's how you can distinguish traditional leadership from servant leadership as a mid-career professional.

1 Power Dynamics

In traditional leadership, power dynamics are top-down, with leaders making decisions and expecting subordinates to follow. This approach often results in a clear chain of command. Contrastingly, servant leadership embodies a shared power dynamic. As a servant leader, you would focus on empowering your colleagues, encouraging collaboration, and facilitating decision-making among your team. This fosters a more inclusive environment where everyone feels their contributions are valued.

2 Goal Setting

When it comes to goal setting, traditional leaders often set objectives and direct teams on how to achieve them, prioritizing organizational success and efficiency. Servant leaders, however, involve their team in the goal-setting process, ensuring that the objectives align with personal growth and the collective good. This approach not only promotes engagement but also nurtures a sense of shared purpose among team members.

3 Decision Making

In traditional leadership models, decision making is usually centralized, with leaders often making unilateral decisions that affect their teams. Servant leadership advocates for a decentralized approach where you would seek input from your team, considering their insights and expertise before making a decision. This inclusive strategy can lead to more innovative solutions and a stronger sense of ownership among team members.

4 Communication Style

Traditional leadership typically involves directive communication, where instructions are given and feedback flows upwards. If you're practicing servant leadership, your communication style would be more dialogic, emphasizing active listening, empathy, and open-ended questions. This not only helps in building trust but also ensures that all voices are heard and respected, leading to a more dynamic and supportive workplace culture.

5 Relationship Focus

A key distinction lies in the focus on relationships. Traditional leaders may prioritize results over relationships, sometimes at the expense of team cohesion. As a servant leader, you would place a higher value on developing strong relationships with your team members, believing that a supportive environment is essential for achieving long-term success. This relationship-first approach can lead to increased loyalty and motivation among your colleagues.

6 Personal Growth

Finally, while traditional leadership might concentrate on the professional development of individuals as it pertains to their roles, servant leadership extends this to personal growth. You would encourage your team to develop not just professionally but personally as well, facilitating opportunities for them to pursue their interests and passions. This holistic view of growth can lead to a more fulfilled and well-rounded team.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?