There are two ways to get water flowing faster through a pipe: add pressure, or remove obstacles. Those who lead through fear apply pressure. Servant leaders remove obstacles. Fear weakens initiative, the appetite for failure and therefore growth. Servant leadership better supports businesses that learn, adapt and create.

The servant leader’s primary motivation is neither power nor money, but to put themselves in the service of the people and the organizations they lead. By listening and observing, the servant leader identifies obstacles to growth—in individuals, in teams and in the organization. Sometimes coaching is enough to remove these obstacles. Sometimes deeper action is needed—to add missing skills or technology, for example, or remove harmful behaviors.

Removing obstacles makes space for growth. When there is also a shared purpose, individuals and teams take it upon themselves to improve the organization’s performance.

Examples