12 Ways to Intentionally Serve the Team You Lead

Serving others in the context of leadership impacts everything that a leader is and does.  Whether the leader is endeavoring to cast vision, clarify roles, or negotiate through relational tensions, an attitude of service aids in the whole process of communication and enables genuine connection.  Conversely, I’ve found by personal experience that constant potential for unnecessary misunderstandings abound when humility is absent in leadership. So, let's move servant leadership beyond a concept to a lifestyle.  Here is a list of ways to intentionally serve those you lead:

1.   Ask regularly how they are getting along in their personal life.
2.   Invite their input on big decisions.
3.   Listen intently in dialogue with them. 
4.   Resource them with practical tools to help them carry out the organization's mission.
5.   Keep the mission, vision, values and strategy before them continually.
6.   Define the part each member plays on the team.
7.   Make sure assignments and expectations are clear.
8.   Give them opportunities that convey belief and value.
9.   Follow up on assigned projects with authentic feedback and praise.  
10. Ask them periodically how you are doing as their leader.
11. Schedule and spend relational and recreational time as a team. 
12. Plan the party, celebrate wins together and reward them individually!

Leaders must never underestimate the primary role they play as investors in their team.  Detachment is not leadership!  Regular, intentional involvement with people is the essence of what leaders do.  Go and lead your team today!

How can you take these practical tools and put them to work for your team immediately?