Edward DeAngelis, CEO of EDA Contractors, is a strong advocate for emotional intelligence and psychological safety in the workplace. Servant leadership is a concept that encourages leaders to prioritize the well-being of their workforce, supporting them in a way that empowers collective growth and development. This approach breaks down corporate silos and builds a positive organizational culture, emphasizing empathy, collaboration, and a focus on people.
Servant leadership is all about respecting, celebrating, and supporting people. It requires leaders to prioritize training, mentoring, and supporting their workforce without ego-driven attitudes. This approach brings a profound impact to an organization’s culture by recognizing its most important component: its people. Servant leadership is not only for large corporations but can be implemented by any leader who values communication, compassion, and collaboration in the workplace, putting people first and encouraging personal and professional growth.
Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, is often recognized as a servant leader. His leadership style emphasizes serving others, empowering employees, and fostering collaboration. Cook values input from employees and emphasizes empathy in his leadership approach, aligning with servant leadership principles. Any leader, regardless of the size of their organization, can embody servant leadership by prioritizing the growth and development of team members, investing time and resources in their potential success, and fostering a culture of accountability and respect.
Servant leadership requires key practices from business leaders, including providing ethical leadership by advocating for engagement in social responsibility initiatives, communicating transparently, and emphasizing the importance of a positive workplace culture. It also involves being empathetic and listening to the needs of employees on a personal level, fostering a sense of community and support in the workplace. Additionally, being a proud steward means prioritizing the well-being of others and creating a positive work environment that fosters respect and appreciation.
Servant leadership can lead to better business performance and improved employee experiences, as organizations that prioritize the well-being of their employees see increased morale and performance. It is a roadmap to success for all work environments where the well-being of employees is valued as much as the organization itself. By embodying servant leadership principles, leaders can create a positive workplace culture that supports organizational change, drives innovation, and prioritizes psychological safety for all team members.
