In grade school we used to play a game called “King of the Mountain”. The whole idea was to be the one on the top and to keep anybody else from taking over our top position (i.e. keep everybody else down). Even though that was just a game it seems reflective of how many business owners and managers continue to operate.
Yet, if the entire purpose of business is to make a profit, and the first lesson of economics is to find a need and fill it, then the king of the mountain approach is not going to help us achieve those objectives.
Truly successful business leaders understand that the better their team serves customers the more customers they will retain and the more profit they will make. They also understand that their highest responsibility is to ensure their team has everything they need to best serve customers. This is especially true for front line staff who are the ones closest to the customer.
Unfortunately, unless the team is aligned around a customer centric paradigm many bosses and managers default to a king of the mountain mindset, which conflicts with what should be their ultimate focus. Don’t confuse service with weakness. It takes a strong and courageous leader to humbly serve rather than be served. If servant leadership seems like a paradox it is only because we confuse the concept of a boss with that of a leader. Followers is the best sign of a leader and you will find more followers behind a leader than you will behind a boss.
If you want more insights into the concept of Servant Leadership I recommend reading The Servant – A Simple Story about the True Essence of Leadership (James Hunter). FYI it is at the top of my recommended inspiring books to read (https://healthydealer.com/inspiring-reads/)
Herb Mast is Leadership Coach and Growth Catalyst. He would love to assist you in implementing the principles and concepts presented here. He is confident that in the process you will enjoy a 10X return on your investment.
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