🧭 6 Ways You Can Lead with Servant Leadership

Good Day, and welcome to The Growth Compass. We are that afternoon snack and coffee that gives you the energy, resilience, and motivation to push through the rest of the day.

Here’s where we’re headed today:

• John Maxwell on leadership

• How to build your leadership brand

• How John Harbaugh implemented servant leadership with the Baltimore Ravens

• Simon Sinek, Nick Saban, and John Maxwell defining leadership

John Maxwell’s Thought on Leadership

"True leadership must be for the benefit of the followers, not to enrich the leaders."

- John Maxwell

How to Build your Leadership Brand

Building your leadership brand is about defining and embodying the qualities that set you apart as an effective leader. It is about your behavior and what you do. Your leadership brand is a reflection of your character, values, and the impact you have on those you lead.

In this exploration, we'll discuss nine key characteristics that emerging leaders should cultivate to build their leadership brand. Think about each one and how you have exemplified (or could exemplify) this characteristic. If you want, rate yourself on a 1-10 scale to see what are your strengths and your areas for improvement.

1. Character (Integrity): Character is the foundation of leadership. It is the embodiment of your honesty, morals, and ethics. Having a strong character is essential because it establishes trust and credibility. Leaders with integrity inspire confidence in their decision-making and actions.

2. Relationship Building: Leaders must foster connections and build strong relationships. Effective leadership involves understanding and supporting team members, resolving conflicts, and encouraging collaboration. Building positive relationships is essential for a productive work environment.

3. Confidence: Confidence is a vital leadership trait. It's about self-assuredness without arrogance. Confident leaders inspire trust, and their belief in their abilities can motivate and empower their teams. Confidence is contagious, and it can help your team overcome challenges.

4. Passion: It all starts with energy and passion for what you do. Leaders with passion inspire their teams to work towards a common goal. It's contagious and can drive creativity and enthusiasm, making the workplace more engaging.

5. Emotional Intelligence: Leaders who can manage their emotions and empathize with others create a more inclusive and supportive work atmosphere. They can handle challenging situations and conflicts with composure.

6. Problem-Solving and Analytical: The ability to evaluate facts and information is crucial in making informed decisions. Leaders don’t need to know every detail, but they need to be able to problem-solve and evaluate what is occurring. This trait ensures you can navigate complex issues and lead teams with precision.

7. Success-Oriented: Leaders are responsible for setting and achieving goals. Being achievement-oriented is about consistently looking to deliver successful outcomes. This quality motivates teams and encourages a culture of productivity and accomplishment.

8. Resilience: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges. It's crucial in leadership because leaders often face obstacles. Resilient leaders inspire their teams to persevere through difficulties, and they learn from failures to drive future success.

9. Communication: Emerging leaders are excellent communicators. They can articulate their ideas clearly and listen actively to others. Their communication skills help them build strong relationships and teams.

Your chart could look something like this:

Building your leadership brand is an ongoing journey that involves developing these nine essential characteristics. These qualities not only define your leadership style but also guide your actions and interactions as a leader. Your leadership brand is the legacy you leave behind, shaping your reputation as a leader who inspires, influences, and creates a positive and lasting impact.

How John Harbaugh Uses Servant Leadership with the Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh defines servant leadership as, "Do whatever you can to help others be their best.”

Great leaders believe they serve the team. Leadership isn't about receiving anything from your team, but being there to give to your team. Servant leadership is the art of letting go and realizing that the real power of servant leadership is empowering others, caring for others, and giving them what they need. Servant leadership is wanting to see others at their best.

John Harbaugh Principles for Servant Leadership:

1. You don't drive the car all of the time

This is the art of letting go as a leader. You have to have faith and trust your team. Empower them, love them, and care for them. You have to be smart, tough, and use good judgment. It should be easy to serve them and want to see them at their best.

2. It shouldn’t be about where it takes you, it should be about where it takes us

It isn't about what you can accomplish, but asking what we can accomplish together. Ask yourself what can we build together that is special and can last? The goal should be to make it bigger than just the bottom line, whether that is winning games or making money.

3. Check your own heart

It should be about connecting and truly caring about your team. Ask yourself what is your motivation and intention behind what you are doing. Do you really care about your team? Are you showing it? Because you should.

4. Get feedback from everyone

Serve the team by learning from the team. John Harbaugh says the 4 most important words he asks someone is "What do you think?"

• Ask for their ideas on improvement, growth, and change.

• Ask if they are happy and they feel they are doing their best.

• Let their voice be heard.

5. Find out who you need to be helping

It’s easy to just sit back and wait around, but you need to take action. You need to help people get to where they need to be. Ask:

• How are we doing?

• Where are we not performing?

• Are people having problems where I can help?

These are the areas where you need to look for improvement.

6. How we act around each other

It shouldn't just be about yourself, but it should be about the team. You should have a great attitude, be collaborative, and work together. If you can help each other accomplish what you need then you have a chance to be great. Ask:

• Are we helping each other?

• Are we connecting?

Simon Sinek, Nick Saban, and John Maxwell on Defining Leadership

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