servant leader
Boss who serves
A servant leader is someone who leads by prioritizing the needs of those they serve—employees, team members, or constituents—rather than accumulating personal power or status.
The concept inverts traditional hierarchy: the leader exists to support and develop others, not to command them.
She practiced servant leadership, removing obstacles so her team could do their best work.
The term appears frequently in management theory and religious contexts.
- humbleUnassuming about oneself
- stewardManager for another
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- guideLeader or instruction book
- empowerGrant authority or confidence
follower · shepherd · selfless · listen · open door policy · trust · compassion · emotional intelligence · uplift · coach · nurture · community · team building · sacrifice · vision · inspire · walk the talk · facilitate
- boss typesmicromanager, tyrant, delegator, dictator, perfectionist
- leadership jargonempower, delegate, inspire, motivate, visionary
- leadership stylesautocrat, dictator, visionary, coach, delegator
- Agile Roles
- virtuesintegrity, honesty, justice, courage, fairness
- Do-goodersdo-gooder, volunteer, activist, humanitarian, philanthropist
servant leaderglory hound
One pursuing acclaim greedily
opportunist · user · manipulator · empire builder · self-promoter
servant, leader, serve, lead, served, serving, server, servers, servile