One of my all-time favorite movies is Office Space. We make it a tradition to watch it at least once a year. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor—it's 90 minutes of cathartic laughter and the perfect way to decompress from... well, the daily grind. The film hilariously roasts the soul-sucking bureaucracy of a 1990s tech company, and at the center of the dysfunction is none other than Bill Lumbergh - king of the passive-aggressive memo and slayer of workplace morale.

We all like to think that leadership like Lumbergh’s doesn’t exist in the nonprofit world. (Right? …Right?) But just in case, let’s talk about the exact opposite of that leadership style: Servant Leadership.

What Is Servant Leadership?

Coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in The Servant as Leader, servant leadership flips the traditional model on its head. Instead of people serving the leader, the leader serves the people. Revolutionary.

In this model, the leader is a servant first, and leadership emerges from a desire to help others grow. It’s not about title, status, or control. It’s about service, stewardship, and a commitment to the growth of people.

Key Characteristics of a Servant Leader

Greenleaf and leadership scholars like Larry Spears have identified several core characteristics of servant leadership. Here's what sets it apart:

Empathy

Empathy is foundational. Servant leaders see their people—not just their productivity, but their whole selves. They listen with compassion, lead with heart, and create an environment where team members feel understood and valued.

Listening

Listening isn’t just waiting for your turn to talk. As Greenleaf put it, “Don’t assume, because you are intelligent, able, and well-motivated, that you are open to communication.” True servant leaders are deep listeners, attuned to what is said and what is unsaid.

Healing

Workplaces are filled with people carrying visible and invisible wounds. Servant leaders use compassion to help their teams heal. With the rise in burnout and stress, healing isn’t just nice -it’s necessary.

Awareness

Self-awareness and ethical awareness are essential. Servant leaders understand how their behavior impacts others and are guided by values, not ego.

Persuasion

Instead of relying on positional power, servant leaders persuade withtrust, reason, and authenticity. They build consensus, not compliance.

Conceptualization

Servant leaders are visionaries. They think beyond the day-to-day and help their teams see the big picture and their place in it.

Foresight

Greenleaf defined foresight as “a better-than-average guess about what is going to happen.” It’s a blend of intuition, experience, and wisdom—skills that allow servant leaders to navigate change and lead strategically.

Stewardship

Stewardship means taking responsibility for the larger mission and the people entrusted to your care. It's leadership for the greater good, not personal gain.

Commitment to the Growth of People

Greenleaf said, “The secret of institution building is to be able to weld a team of such people by lifting them up to grow taller than they would otherwise be.” Servant leaders invest in people. Their growth is the goal.

Building Community

A sense of belonging matters. Especially in large or hybrid organizations, servant leaders foster connection, create community, and help people feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves.

Why Servant Leadership Works

It’s no secret that toxic workplaces contributed to The Great Resignation. And many leaders are still struggling to figure out how tore-engage and retain their teams. Here’s the good news: servant leadership is exactly what this moment needs. It works because it’s rooted in care, collaboration, and commitment to others' success. It doesn't try to control or micromanage. Instead, it builds trust, encourages innovation, and nurtures meaningful relationships.

So…How Do We Lead Like Servants?

If you want to pivot your leadership style toward servant leadership, the first step is simple (but not always easy): put your team first. Ben Lichtenwalner, author of Paradigm Flip, says it best, “Being a servant leader is built upon the foundation of putting others first and yourself second.”

It’s not about perfection. It’s about intention. It’s about choosing empathy over ego, collaboration over control, and stewardship over self-interest. And let’s be honest - we’ve all worked with a Lumbergh or two. The world doesn’t need more of them. It needs more servants who lead and leaders who serve.

Final Thought

Of all the leadership styles out there, servant leadership stands apart for one simple reason: it works because it cares. And people thrive when they’re led by someone who genuinely wants the best for them. So yeah… if you could come to my leadership meeting and bring your servant leader mindset, that’d be great.

Want to dive deeper into servant leadership? Start with Greenleaf’s The Servant as Leader or check out resources from the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. Your team—and your mission—will thank you.

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April Anthony is a Senior Advisor with Armstrong McGuire who specializes in fundraising, interim work, capital campaigns, executive searches, strategic planning, retreat facilitation, Art of the Ask training, and board development. Learn more about April and check out her other musings in her bio.