Servant leadership is a transformative approach that emphasizes the well-being of the team, community, and organization before the leader’s ambitions. The popularity of this leadership style has increased because it builds more empathetic, ethical, and high-performing environments. Diving into the right books can be very helpful if you want to hone your servant leadership skills. Here, we have curated a list of the 20 best books for servant leaders so that you can get started immediately.
What exactly are Servant Leaders?
But before knowing these books, what is servant leadership? So, it’s a style based on the desire to serve and give to your community. By putting the needs of others first, you empower people to perform at their best. When members of the community see your passion and your commitment through your actions, they want to be connected to you.
Understanding Servant Leadership: Foundations and Principles
Servant leadership is a heart-driven practice to serve and lift others. Compassion, character, and competence form the basis of servant leadership. Such qualities create trust, the blood of the life of dynamic and high-performing organizations. Servant leaders, therefore, embody characteristics such as empathy, listening, stewardship, and personal growth commitment. Abraham Lincoln is often celebrated as a model servant leader, dedicating his presidency to the service of citizens rather than to power. The concept, first introduced by Robert K. Greenleaf in his 1970 essay The Servant as Leader, has profoundly influenced modern leadership practices. For those seeking to embrace this transformative style, the right resources must be explored.
Here is the List of 20 Best Books for Servant Leadership:
1. The Servant: A Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership by James C. Hunter:
This book presents leadership lessons in the form of a simple yet profound story. It explores the principles of servant leadership and how they can transform both personal and professional life.
2. Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek:
Simon Sinek explains how great leaders prioritize their team’s well-being, creating a sense of safety and belonging. It’s a compelling guide to building trust and fostering collaboration.
3. Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown:
Brené Brown provides actionable insights on how to embrace vulnerability and lead with courage. The book focuses on building trust and connection within teams. Book review
4. Servant Leadership in Action: How You Can Achieve Great Relationships and Results by Ken Blanchard and Renee Broadwell:
This collection of essays by renowned leaders offers practical examples of servant leadership in action. It’s an inspiring guide for aspiring leaders.
5. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink:
Daniel Pink uncovers the science behind motivation, emphasizing autonomy, mastery, and purpose as key drivers of success and fulfillment.
6. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni:
Through a compelling narrative, Patrick Lencioni identifies common challenges teams face and offers actionable strategies to overcome them.
7. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey:
This classic book outlines habits that foster personal growth and effective leadership, emphasizing principles over practices.
8. Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek:
Simon Sinek explores the importance of finding your “why” to inspire others and build a purpose-driven organization.
9. The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations by James Kouzes and Barry Posner:
This book offers a comprehensive framework for leaders to foster innovation, trust, and collaboration in their teams.
10. Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant:
Adam Grant demonstrates how generosity can lead to success, offering practical advice for balancing giving with self-interest.
11. Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders by L. David Marquet:
This book recounts Marquet’s experience transforming a struggling submarine crew into a high-performing team by empowering them to lead.
12. It’s Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy by D. Michael Abrashoff:
Abrashoff shares his journey of fostering trust and accountability aboard a Navy ship, showcasing the power of servant leadership.
13. Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Organization by Dave Logan, John King, and Halee Fischer-Wright:
This book explores the dynamics of organizational culture and how leaders can elevate teams by understanding tribal stages.
14. Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott:
Kim Scott provides a practical framework for giving honest feedback while maintaining respect and empathy.
15. The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle:
This book uncovers the secrets of building a strong team culture, emphasizing connection, safety, and shared purpose.
16. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by Jim Collins:
Jim Collins explores the factors that distinguish great organizations from good ones, offering practical insights for leaders.
17. The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek:
Sinek explains how adopting an infinite mindset can help leaders focus on long-term goals and sustainable success.
18. On Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis:
Warren Bennis highlights the qualities of effective leaders and how to develop them, emphasizing self-awareness and authenticity.
Why These Are the Best Books for Servant Leaders?
Each of these books offers unique insights into servant leadership, helping leaders create trust, empathy, and collaboration. From foundational texts like The Servant to modern explorations like Dare to Lead, these resources touch on the full spectrum of servant leadership principles. They are not only practical but also inspirational, encouraging leaders to bring about positive change within their organizations and communities.
How to Incorporate Lessons from These Books?
Reading is just the first step in your servant leadership journey. Here are some tips to implement the lessons you learn:
- Start Small: Begin by applying one or two principles from the books to your daily interactions with your team.
- Foster Open Communication: Create a culture where team members feel safe sharing their ideas and concerns.
- Lead by Example: Demonstrate servant leadership in your actions to inspire others to follow suit.
- Seek feedback: Regularly ask your team for their opinions on your leadership style and use that to improve.
Final Thoughts
It’s a process, which takes lifelong learning and self-improvement. You’ll be able to find out the knowledge and tools for creating a long-term impact on your team and organization by reading the best books for servant leaders. If you’re an experienced leader or a novice, these books can offer you valuable insights into how to lead with empathy and purpose. Explore them today and watch your leadership skills transform.
