Servant leadership is a philosophy practiced by people who understand that the purpose of work goes beyond financial gain. Instead, the impact extends to the community and the world around them. This article will outline some ways in which leaders like you can make an impact on a global scale.
Serve from a place of gratitude.
Serving others is a privilege, and it's one that many people don't get to experience. As leaders, we have the opportunity to be a positive influence on the world around us in a way that most people can't.
We have an opportunity to make our mark and leave a legacy. But for this to happen, we must first start with gratitude. So often, we think about what we're giving up or what we're going through instead of focusing on what we have in front of us: an opportunity to give back and serve others (and ourselves) unconditionally.
When you serve from gratitude, everything becomes more manageable—you're grateful for the lessons you learn; you grow as an individual, and your confidence grows as well!
Become a lifelong learner.
Learning is crucial for leaders. To keep learning and growing, you must constantly challenge yourself and open up to new experiences. You can do this by:
- Learning from others. The best way to learn is from people who have already been where you want to go. So it's vital that you seek mentors, coaches, and advisors who can help guide your career growth and point out areas where you need improvement—and then listen!
- Being curious about the world around you (and outside of work!). Be sure you look at things differently than before; being open-minded allows new ideas to flow.
- Asking questions! Good questions bring out more information than they take away; they prevent mistakes from happening because they require clarity in thought processes before acting on an idea or taking actionable steps towards achieving any goal.
Make an impact through work and relationships.
As a leader, you are in the position to make a positive impact on your community. While it may be tempting to focus solely on your company's bottom line or expand outward into the world at large, leaders can learn an important lesson from those who have gone before them: making an impact through work and relationships.
The first step to making an impact is working with the community, not just for the community. This means being more than just another job creator; instead, seek out opportunities that will allow you to help others become self-sufficient.
Be authentic.
- Be honest with yourself. You're not always right as a leader—and that's okay. Be open and honest about your mistakes so others can learn from them.
- Be true to your values. You are an individual who stands for something greater than yourself; therefore, you need to remain faithful to those beliefs even when faced with difficult decisions or challenging circumstances.
- Be true to your commitments: As a leader, it is critical for you to follow through on the promises that you make to maintain credibility over time.
Have a strong sense of purpose.
Leaders with a strong sense of purpose inspire and attract others to their vision. They are clear about their organization's mission, values, and goals. Their passion for doing good drives them to work hard to pursue those goals.
When you spend time reflecting on your values and how they can be used as the foundation for leading a team or organization, you will find that having a clear sense of purpose makes it easier for others to follow.
When it comes to making an impact as a leader, it's important to remember that everyone has the potential to change lives. Anyone can make a difference through their actions—and that includes you.
At Branches Worldwide, we exist to connect and empower a global network of high-impact entrepreneurs who use their businesses as a means to transform their communities. We believe every visionary leader should have the resources and relationships to help them impact their community. Contact us to learn more about becoming a Leader, Mentor, or donor.
