The Role of the Servant Leader in the Age of Remote Working
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced organisations and employees to adapt rapidly to a new way of working. For many, this has meant shifting from in-person to remote work. Although this transition has been challenging for some, it has also opened up new opportunities for others. With the right mindset and approach, managers can leverage technology to build engagement across a dispersed team. In this blog post, we’ll explore the role of the servant leader in the age of remote working.
What is a Servant Leader?
The term “servant leader” was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in 1970. A servant leader is someone who puts the needs of others above their own and seeks to help others grow and develop. In addition to being concerned with the well-being of others, servant leaders are also humble, ethical, and committed to continuous learning.
During his lifetime, Greenleaf wrote extensively about servant leadership and its importance in creating positive change. In one of his most famous essays, “The Institutional Imperative,” Greenleaf argued that individuals within an organisation must be treated as human beings rather than as a means to an end. He believed that organisations could only be successful if they put people first.
Servant leadership is where the leader works for the benefit of followers, facilitates their success, and develops their capabilities. This is especially important in today’s business environment, where many employees work remotely.
The traditional top-down leadership model doesn’t work well when team members are not physically close to one another. Leaders must find new ways to connect with and motivate their employees to build engagement across a dispersed team.
How can Servant Leaders leverage Technology?
Although the rise of remote work has presented challenges for leaders, it has also opened up new opportunities. One opportunity is the ability to leverage technology to build engagement across a dispersed team.
There are several ways that servant leaders can use technology to engage, coach and facilitate with their teams, including:
Utilising video conferencing tools: Video conferencing tools like Microsoft Teams, Zoom or Google Hangouts provide an opportunity for face-to-face interactions that can help build trust and rapport among team members. Encouraging team members to utilise these tools for both formal and informal interactions can go a long way in fostering a sense of connection among team members who are geographically dispersed.
Digital collaboration tools: There are various digital collaboration tools available that can help facilitate communication and collaboration among team members. Tools like Asana and Trello can be used to manage tasks and ensure that everyone is on the same page with regard to deadlines and deliverables. Project management software like Basecamp can also facilitate communication among team members and keep everyone up-to-date on the latest developments.
Utilising these tools can help ensure everyone is on the same page and reduce miscommunications that can often occur when teams are spread out across different time zones. However, one of the critical things to consider is being conscious of finding the right tool for the right task and clearly articulating how each tool will be used. Making sure your team know what each tool is for, how they interact with each other and how best to use them to collaborate & support getting things done will make things easier and minimise confusion.
Conducting virtual team-building activities: Another critical way to build engagement across a dispersed team is by connecting with team members on a personal level. Virtual team-building activities are a great way to promote team cohesion while employees are working remotely. These activities can range from simple icebreakers (e.g., “What’s your favourite animal?”) to more complex exercises that require teamwork and communication (e..g, “Escape Room”). Not only do these activities promote team bonding, but they also allow employees to blow off some steam and have some fun during what can be a stressful time.
Conclusion.
The role of the leader is changing in today’s business environment. With more and more employees working remotely, it’s become increasingly important for leaders to find new ways to connect with and motivate their team members. With the right mindset and approach, managers can leverage technology to bridge physical distance and build engagement across geographically dispersed teams despite physical distance.