 The “servant” is first  It begin with a feeling of wanting to serve FIRST, rather than lead first  A conscious choice will help you lead after your serve  People who lead first are usually more power-driven

 Ken Blanchard: “Servant leadership is about getting people to a higher level by leading people at a higher level.”  Stephen Covey: “The only way you get empowerment is through high-trust cultures and through the empowerment philosophy that turns bosses into servants and coaches.”  Margaret Wheatley: “The belief that called you to be a servant-leader, I believe, is the belief of who we are as a species. We have need for each other.”

I had a manager 2 years ago at a restaurant job who completely displayed servant leadership every day. On a busy Saturday night, instead of hiding in the office like a lot of the managers do that I have had, he was out on the floor with us and helping us in any way he could. He would run drinks for us, make sure the food got out on time, and he would go around to each table and ask how their dinner/evening was going and if there was “anything he could do to make it better.” He is the type of manager I hope to be like one day, and I am so thankful for having such a great experience with him!

1. Listening. 2. Empathy. 3. Healing. 4. Awareness. 5. Persuasion. 6. Conceptualization. 7. Foresight. 8. Stewardship. 9. Commitment to the growth of people. 10. Building community

 Remember that servant leadership is about focusing on other people's needs – not their feelings.  To be a good servant leader, it’s important to practice the 10 characteristics of servant leaders.  Do not rely on servant leadership as your only form of leadership. Instead, pair it with transformational leadership or something along the lines of that.