Servant leadership has been discussed quite a bit in recent years, but what does it really mean to be a servant leader? Is servant leadership an effective leadership style, and how does being a servant leader impact your team? In today’s segments, Geoff Brenner and Mary Ellen Doyle discuss attributes of this leadership style and how it influences the way you work with your team.
In the first segment, Geoff Brenner, president & CEO of TPC, starts by saying that his leadership philosophy is still very much a work in process. After consideration, he further explains:
“I think for me, it’s not a title to lord over anyone, and it’s not an opportunity to enrich yourself and be served and kind of sit at the top of a mountain or in a tower. I think it’s very much an invitation to be the chief servant.”
Brenner goes on to describe some of the attributes he believes servant leaders exhibit and that he tries to model as well.
In the second video segment, Mary Ellen Doyle, corporate VP for nursing operations at Scripps Health, begins by discussing her intentional actions to encourage growth within her team, stating: “I am a firm believer that as a leader the people around you watch your behavior. So consistency in behavior, non-judgmental behavior, is really important as a leader.”
She then goes on to talk about the specific attributes and ways a leader can help develop the talent of his or her team, including:
- Giving consistent feedback
- Avoiding public criticism
- Being non-judgmental
- Understanding individual perspectives
- Expecting performance
It is apparent that both Brenner and Doyle are servant leaders who care about the people they serve, and strive to exhibit specific attributes and employ strategies to encourage growth in the individuals surrounding them. To watch these two great interview segments, click above.