A few weeks ago, I came across a post by Mike Leber that caused me to think. It began with a simple truth:
“Anyone can look important. Only few make others feel important. And that’s real leadership.”
He went on to describe how true leadership manifests not in the boardroom, but in everyday behavior—how you treat the waiter, how you speak to the intern, and how you act when no one “important” is watching. (Hint: He’s describing Integrity, which is one of Devoted Technology Service’s Core Values)
I left a comment that said:
“Servant leadership is the long game. The qualities you outlined—respect, humility, generosity—don’t always deliver quick wins, but they compound over time. The opposite may get short-term gains, but it never lasts. Doing the right thing consistently will always take you farther.”
This stuck with me. It’s easy to agree with the concept of servant leadership, but harder to live it out. It asks more of us—not just to lead well, but to serve first.
The Heart of Servant Leadership
The concept isn’t new. In 1970, Robert Greenleaf wrote about the difference between the leader-first and the servant-first. The servant-first leader asks, Do those I serve grow as people?
For me, as a believer in Jesus Christ, that question takes on an even deeper meaning. Jesus modeled servant leadership perfectly—He led by washing the feet of His followers, by meeting needs before claiming recognition, and by giving His life for others.
Mark 10:42–45 captures it clearly:
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant… For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”
That verse sets a high bar. And honestly, it’s one I’m still learning to reach.
Reflecting on the 10 Principles
Chris Huff summarized 10 principles of servant leadership in a ChurchLeaders.com article. As I read them, I found myself asking some uncomfortable questions—ones I think every leader could benefit from sitting with:
- Listening: Do I truly hear what’s being said—or only what fits my agenda?
- Empathy: Do I truly understand the struggles of those I lead, or do I rush to fix them instead of genuinely caring?
- Healing: When there’s conflict, do I seek to restore relationships or move past them?
- Awareness: Am I honest about my own weaknesses and attentive to others’ needs?
- Persuasion: Do I lead by influence and collaboration—or by authority and control?
- Conceptualization: Am I thinking beyond today—casting vision and inviting others into it?
- Foresight: Do I learn from the past and consider how today’s choices shape tomorrow?
- Stewardship: Am I treating my team, time, and resources as trust—something to protect, not possess?
- Commitment to the Growth of People: Am I helping others grow not just professionally, but personally?
- Building Community: Am I creating a team that feels like family—or just a group that gets things done?
None of these are revolutionary. But together, they remind me that leadership isn’t a title—it’s a responsibility. It’s a daily choice to put others first, to lift them higher, and to measure success by the growth of those around you.
Why It Matters
Traditional leadership often centers on authority and results. Servant leadership flips that script—it focuses on trust, development, and shared purpose. The Asana guide on servant leadership puts it simply: Traditional leaders focus on the success of the company; servant leaders focus on the success of their people.
That distinction matters, especially in technology and business, where speed and output can easily overshadow people and principles. But servant leadership plays the long game. It trades short-term wins for lasting impact.
At the end of his article at ChurchLeaders, Chris Huff points out that John Quincy Adams once said,
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
That’s the kind of leadership worth striving for—the kind that multiplies itself in others.
Closing Thought
I’m reminded that leadership isn’t proven in how loudly we speak, but in how well we listen. It’s measured not by how many people follow, but by how many grow because we led them.
That’s the model Jesus gave us. And that’s the kind of leader I want to be.
How do you lead by serving? Let’s discuss in the comments.