Edward DeAngelis, CEO of EDA Contractors, is a strong advocate for servant leadership, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and psychological safety in the workplace. Servant leadership is a transformative approach that encourages empathetic and emotionally available leaders to champion change management towards a positive culture within their teams. It focuses on supporting, training, and celebrating employees without ego-driven attitudes, ultimately fostering a more collaborative and growth-oriented organizational environment. It prioritizes respect, celebration, and support for people, ultimately leading to the empowerment of the workforce and the overall success of the organization.
Servant leadership is not limited to large corporations like Apple or Starbucks; it is a leadership style that any leader can embrace. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, is often cited as a servant leader, emphasizing empathy, collaboration, and a focus on people. Cook’s leadership style encourages collaboration, values input from employees, and empowers them to innovate and maintain a strong company culture. Servant leadership principles focus on integrating communication, compassion, collaboration, and putting people first, while encouraging accountability, respect, and kindness among team members. It prioritizes the growth and development of employees, investing time and resources to help them reach their potential, ultimately leading to organizational success.
To be a servant leader, business leaders must maintain key practices, such as providing ethical leadership, being empathetic and listening to employees, and being proud stewards of the organization. By advocating for engagement in social responsibility initiatives, communicating transparently, and fostering a positive workplace culture, leaders can create an ethical and empathetic work environment that supports organizational change and drives innovation. By prioritizing the well-being of both employees and the organization, servant leadership can lead to better business performance and employee experiences. It is a roadmap to success for all leaders who prioritize the growth and development of their team members while fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and kindness within the organization.
