In this episode we talked with author Ben Lichtenwalner and discussed the top 7 most important things that a leader needs to do to create a workplace culture where leaders and team members truly care for each other.
Ben is author of a critically acclaimed book, called Paradigm Flip. He runs the innovative management consulting firm, Radiant Forest, and he is the founder of the top 30 leadership blog, ModernServantLeader.com.
In addition to practicing servant leadership for decades, Ben has also, for a decade, been studying great servant leaders, writing about servant leadership, and helping organizations develop servant leaders.
Join us as we learn the importance of servant leadership from Ben. Hear about how selfless leadership and humility have guided Ben’s journey as a leader and shaped the culture of the organizations he is involved with.
Here is a link to Ben’s website:
Ben’s Website
Here is a link to Ben’s book:
Paradigm Flip
Here is a link if you want to connect with Ben on LinkedIn:
Ben’s Linkedin Profile
Ben’s Top 7
“Too often we just overlook the value systems, the ‘soft side’ we like to say. But if your team doesn’t get along, the project is going to fail.” – Ben Lichtenwalner
1. Be Selfless
Being a servant leader is built upon the foundation of putting others first and yourself second. To truly serve your team, you must put their interests and needs before your own.
“If you’re not serving others, you’re being self-serving.” – Ben Licthenwalner
2. Be Empathetic
To serve others you must be understanding of their individual situation and their needs. Being empathetic is a key component in understanding and ultimately caring for your team.
3. Be Resolute
Great leaders stay determined and unwavering in the face of adversity. However, being unwavering and being resolute are not exactly the same. The key difference is that being resolute means to be unwavering in an admirable way. This difference is important to note because great servant leaders are not simply unwavering. They are unwavering in a way that builds admiration.
4. Be Virtuous
Maintaining high moral standards for yourself not only builds respect, but those morals also act as your guide for decision making. By holding yourself to a higher standard, you will naturally make decisions based on what is best for everyone, instead of what is best for yourself.
5. Be Authentic
Without authenticity, all of these principles will fall flat. People can sense whether you are genuine in your resolve and decision making. Falsely promoting that you are a servant leader will do more harm than good.
6. Be Non-Partisan
As a leader, it is important to stay objective in your decision making. A vital part of staying objective is to put aside any bias you may have, especially towards certain groups within the organization.
“Being non-partisan means you are open to new ideas from anyone, anywhere, anytime.” – Ben Licthenwalner
7. Be Thorough
All of the principles mentioned above are important aspects of being a servant leader, however it is also important to be thorough in your execution of these principles. By constantly and consistently holding yourself accountable for the principles above you not only will grow as a leader, but set the example for everyone else in the organization.
