Last week was the EntreLeadership event that I teach here in Nashville. After speaking for 20 hours in three days, my brain is still trying to form actual sentences.

The event is about leadership. And if you’ve listened to me much, you know that I believe servant leadership is the only style that ultimately works. It is your job to spend your time making your team successful – period! You should be asking them if there’s anything they need. Do they have any questions? Do they understand all the aspects of their jobs? Is there anything you can do to help them?

Recently, the great Marianna Gibson sent me an article in the Nashville City Paper written about the Titan’s new quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck. It’s a great story that includes how he became a QB as a freshman in high school. Funny reason! Down in the article was a paragraph that made me proud:

“At the end of the day, I think for me, I’m just trying to do whatever I can to help the guys on the offense — specifically on the offense as a quarterback — to help those guys be successful — whatever that means,” he said. “If you’re working out in the summer and you’re the guy that brings the water for everybody … it’s almost like you’re serving them.”

“OK, what can I do to help you? What can I do to make your job easier?”

Servant leadership! What a concept in a sport that seems to have lost the meaning of team. OK, that was a little harsh … maybe not. It’s refreshing to see a guy, who by all rights leads the team on the field, by actually serving them. Wow! That type of leadership garners the respect of those around you; even if those around you are incredibly talented in their own right.

Traditionally, “bosses” put themselves in the role of dictating to their team. Servant leaders try to stay off the self-imposed podium. Instead, they try to lift their team by meeting their needs and providing whatever it takes to, once again, make them successful.

Question: What does servant leadership look like to you?

Related articles

• What Servant Leadership Looks Like (ChrisLoCurto.com)