No Bullsh!t Leadership Moment 128. Should You Be a Servant to Your People?
Jul 6, 2025
Explore the intriguing concept of servant leadership, which prioritizes team members over organizational goals. Is this approach truly beneficial, or does it risk diminishing accountability? The discussion dives into the pitfalls, questioning whether increased engagement always leads to better performance. By challenging conventional beliefs, it sheds light on the delicate balance between support and responsibility that leaders must navigate for their teams to thrive.
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Servant Leadership's Mixed Impact
- Servant leadership shifts focus from organisation to workers, emphasizing personal growth and engagement.
- However, engagement doesn't reliably link to better performance or motivation in practice.
Power Shift Risks Performance
- Servant leadership can conflict with leading people to where they ought to be rather than where they want to go.
- It also shifts power to the team, potentially weakening accountability and misaligning with organisational strategy.
Accountability Weakness in Servant Leadership
- Servant leadership often requires a forgiving approach that lowers accountability standards.
- This degrades team quality over time and drives away high performers.