Concepts
It places the focus on the team members and turns traditional leadership hierarchy on its head. It is a leadership style emphasized in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) guide, which serves as a crucial reference for PMP aspirants.
I. Understanding Servant Leadership
Servant leadership is a paradigm where the leader’s primary role is to serve others. This leadership style emphasizes collaboration, trust, empathy, and the ethical use of power. It grants more authority to the team members and prioritizes their growth and well-being.
II. Core Tenets of Servant Leadership
The tenets of servant leadership are encapsulated into ten main principles which have a direct application in project management:
- Listening: Leaders are encouraged to focus intently on their team members’ viewpoints and actively seek their input. They should create an environment where sharing information and expressing ideas becomes a norm.
- Empathy: Understanding and acknowledging the feelings and perspectives of team members, fosters trust and respect.
- Healing: Servant leaders create an environment where individuals feel emotionally and psychologically secure which greatly boosts team performance.
- Awareness: Leaders are expected to display self-awareness and foster it in their teams. They should understand how their words and actions impact their team.
- Persuasion: Rather than resorting to authoritarian decision-making, leaders persuade their teams by building consensus.
- Conceptualization: Servant leaders visualize the strategic outcomes and promote creative thinking within their team.
- Foresight: Leaders should have the ability to foresee potential issues that might disrupt the project and take corrective actions.
- Stewardship: Leaders are stewards of their organization’s resources. They should seek to add value to all project stakeholders.
- Commitment to growth of people: The leader ensures personal and professional development opportunities for all team members.
- Building Community: Leaders should promote a sense of community and belonging within their teams.
III. Applying Servant Leadership to Project Management
In context of project management, especially from the perspective of PMP aspirants, practicing servant leadership could truly revolutionize the way they manage their projects.
Consider a project manager in charge of a software development project. By applying the servant leadership principles, they would actively seek ideas and suggestions from their team, build consensus for decision-making, and create a safe space for team members to voice their concerns. They would ensure their team’s professional growth by providing learning opportunities, thereby increasing job satisfaction and productivity at the same time.
IV. Benefits of Servant Leadership in Project Management
Servant leadership directly complements some of the key knowledge areas addressed in the PMP examination such as Stakeholder Management, Human Resource Management, and Communications Management. By practicing servant leadership, project managers can effectively manage stakeholders, align the team towards a common goal, and foster open and transparent communication.
The successful execution of projects lies in the hand of all team members, not just the project manager. This form of leadership lights the path towards a motivated, committed, and high-performing project team.
In conclusion, aspiring PMP professionals should seek to understand and apply the principles of servant leadership to not just pass their exams, but to further their project management career with the skills and mindset needed to successful navigate today’s collaborative work environments.
References:
- PMBOK Guide, 6th Edition, Project Management Institute
- Robert K. Greenleaf (1977). Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness
- Spears, L.C. (2010). Character and Servant Leadership: Ten Characteristics of Effective, Caring Leaders. The Journal of Virtues & Leadership, Vol. 1, No 1, 25-30.
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
True or False: Servant leadership emphasizes the importance of sharing power, putting the needs of others first, and helping individuals develop and perform at their best.
- Answer: True
Explanation: In the approach of servant leadership, the main goal is to serve. It’s a leadership style that values the development and support of the team members, fostering a sense of community and shared decision-making.
Which of the following traits are typically associated with a servant leader?
- A) Selflessness
- B) Autocratic behavior
- C) Humility
- D) Control-orientation
Answer: A) Selflessness, C) Humility
Explanation: Servant leaders are typically characterized by their selfless nature and humility. They are often not autocratic, instead, they tend to be more collaborative and value the input of their team members.
True or False: Servant leadership does not encourage collaboration within a team.
- Answer: False
Explanation: Servant leadership actively encourages collaboration. The servant leader acts as a facilitator rather than a dictator, creating an environment of mutual respect and teamwork.
Servant leadership focuses only on getting the job done and not on the growth of team members.
- Answer: False
Explanation: Servant leadership places a high value on the growth and development of team members. Servant leaders act as mentors and coaches to their teams.
Which of the following options best relates to the concept of servant leadership as a project manager?
- A) Dominating team discussions and decisions
- B) Helping team members perform as highly as possible
- C) Making major decisions without consulting the team
- D) Insisting on using one’s methods without considering alternatives
Answer: B) Helping team members perform as highly as possible
Explanation: Servant leadership is focused on the growth, development and performance of the team members. The servant leader guides and helps the team members to perform at their highest level.
Servant leaders share power and decision-making authority with their team members.
- Answer: True
Explanation: One of the key principles of servant leadership is sharing power and decision-making with team members. This promotes a sense of responsibility, involvement and commitment among team members.
The Servant Leadership model is based on _______.
- A) Power and control
- B) The needs and growth of the team
- C) The personal ambition of the leader
- D) A hierarchical structure
Answer: B) The needs and growth of the team
Explanation: The Servant Leadership model is primarily based on the needs and growth of the team. Servant leaders aim to create an environment of trust, respect and high performance.
True or False: Servant leaders are results-oriented and less concerned about team development.
- Answer: False
Explanation: While results are important to servant leaders, equal if not more importance is placed on the growth and development of the individual team members.
A servant leader shows empathy towards team members and understands their viewpoints.
- Answer: True
Explanation: Empathy is one of the key characteristics of servant leaders. They work to understand the perspectives of their team members and validate their feelings and experiences.
Servant leadership is incompatible with project management methodology.
- Answer: False
Explanation: Servant leadership can be highly effective in a project management setting, especially in project environments that rely heavily on teamwork, collaboration and creative problem-solving.
Great post! Servant leadership is so crucial in project management. It can dramatically improve team performance.
Thanks for the insights on servant leadership. It’s something I’m trying to implement more in my PMP prep.
I appreciate the explanation of servant leadership! Can anyone share examples of how they’ve seen this work in a project management setting?
Great insights on servant leadership! I particularly liked the focus on empathy and active listening.
I’ve been a PMP certified professional for 5 years, and I can attest that adopting servant leadership can make a big difference.
Servant leadership sounds great, but is it always practical in high-pressure project environments?
Servant leadership requires a lot of personal development from the leader. It’s not easy but worth it.
Interesting read, but I feel like servant leadership might be overrated. Sometimes, a more directive approach is needed.