In 30 seconds
- The leader's first job is to serve the team.
- Remove obstacles, build capability, share power.
- The Scrum Master is described as a servant-leader-style role.
Origins
Robert K. Greenleaf introduced the term in his 1970 essay The Servant as Leader. He argued the best leaders are servants first, and judged success by whether those served grow.
Key behaviours
- Listening first
- Removing obstacles
- Developing people
- Sharing decisions
- Building community and trust
In agile teams
The Scrum Master embodies servant leadership: coaching, facilitating and removing impediments without authority over the work. Managers in agile organizations increasingly lead this way too.
Myth vs reality
Myth · Servant leaders do whatever the team asks.
Reality · They serve the team's success, which sometimes means saying no.
Myth · Servant leadership is weak.
Reality · It requires strong conviction and influence.
Myth · It means no hierarchy.
Reality · It's about how authority is used.
FAQ
How is it different from leader-leader?
Servant leadership focuses on serving; leader-leader on distributing control. They overlap.
Can executives be servant leaders?
Yes, by serving teams through strategy and support.
How do I start?
Ask your team what's in their way, then remove one thing.