What defines servant leadership?

The essence of servant leadership is focused on the relationship between the leader and the followers. This leadership style emphasizes the leader’s commitment to serving their team, prioritizing the needs and development of others over traditional authoritative power dynamics. It fosters an environment of trust, collaboration, and empowerment, where leaders actively seek to uplift and support their team members.

In this context, the primary goal of the leader is not to exert control or dictate actions but to cultivate a reciprocal relationship in which both the leader and followers grow and thrive. This approach often leads to increased engagement, morale, and a sense of community within the group, reinforcing the premise that the leader's main role is to serve.

Other options, such as focusing solely on productivity or relying heavily on authority, do not capture the spirit of servant leadership, nor do they underline the significance of building meaningful relationships within the team. Transaction-based interactions, characterized by a more superficial exchange, similarly miss the depth and mutual commitment that define servant leadership.