While there are many leadership styles, I believe the only type of leadership that ultimately works is servant leadership. Being a dictator, or an unapproachable person, doesn’t get people to follow you. In fact, if you think you’re leading people, turn around. If nobody’s there, you’re not a leader.

I recently received a great example of what servant leadership looks like in an email from the fabulous Amy Lorton:

OK, ready for something that happened yesterday in Content? It’s kind of gross but a great example of servant leadership.

Richard brought his little granddaughter up here for a couple of hours. She ended up getting sick and lost it all over Richard and the carpet in his office. After we got her cleaned up, Richard had to leave with her. He’s gone, and I look back and see Allen on his hands and knees cleaning the carpet. Here he is, our leader, dealing with the mess. He could have passed it on to us or the cleaning staff. But he did it himself. I thought that was really cool.

As a leader, you must be willing to do whatever is necessary. Sometimes that means setting up chairs, doing gofer-level tasks, and even once in a great while, cleaning up…messes. When you do, it endears your team to you and they will follow you anywhere. Just look at Amy’s response.

Question: How have you seen someone be a servant leader?

*****UPDATE***** Read the comment below about Staff Sergeant Zac Harms and tell him and Tony Lamb how much you appreciate their sacrifices!!