Reviewed by: Coach John Hughes
By Simon Sinek
An Example of Servant Leadership
I first learned about Simon Sinek during my journey to discover more about my "WHY" and inspire others to find theirs in everything they do. He has one of the most watched TED Talks about the Golden Circle, which launched his amazing career as a speaker, author, and thought leader on being the best version (Leader) you can be.
One of his most popular books is "Leaders Eat Last," in which he explores the dynamics of leadership and the importance of creating a supportive and trusting work or team environment. A great deal of his inspiration for this book came from learning about the tradition in the Military world where, when it comes to "Chow" time (eating), the higher-level ranking officers eat after the enlisted ranks. You will learn more about this tradition after reading or listening to this MUST-read.
The Servant Leader is servant first...It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first." Robert K. Greenleaf
He emphasizes the importance of Servant Leadership, creating a supportive environment, leading with empathy, building trust, focusing on long-term success, leading by example, and celebrating team achievements. Applying these principles can foster a cohesive, motivated team that achieves sustainable success under effective leadership.
Here are a few takeaways from this awesome book:
Understand and practice - Servant Leadership:
Effective servant leaders know the importance of prioritizing their team members' well-being and success. They adopt a Servant Leadership Mindset, where their primary role is to support and empower others to achieve their goals.
Create an environment where team members feel safe:
Servant Leaders establish a "Circle of Safety" where team members feel safe, valued, and supported. This environment encourages collaboration, creativity, and loyalty among team members, leading to higher performance and job satisfaction.
Lead with Empathy:
Empathetic leadership involves understanding and considering the emotions, perspectives, and needs of others. Leaders who demonstrate empathy build stronger connections with their team and foster a culture of trust and mutual respect.
Do what you say:
Trust is essential for effective leadership. Leaders build trust by consistently demonstrating integrity, transparency, and accountability. Trusting relationships within a team creates a foundation for open communication and collaboration.
The Windshield and Mirror:
Servant Leaders focus on the Long-Term Success (Windshield) of their team members and organizations, prioritize long-term success over short-term gains, and look forward, not spending too much time in the past (Mirror). They invest in developing their team's skills, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and planning for sustainable growth and success.
Would you follow you:
Servant Leaders lead by example and set the tone for their team's culture through their behavior and actions. Leading by example involves modeling the core values, work ethic, and commitment they expect from their team members. This authenticity inspires others to follow suit.
Celebrate Team Achievements:
Recognizing and celebrating team achievements reinforces a positive work environment and motivates team members. Leaders acknowledge individual contributions and create opportunities for collective celebration, reinforcing a sense of pride and camaraderie.
In summary, the lessons from "Leaders Eat Last" emphasize the importance of Servant Leadership.
Servant Leaders focus on creating a supportive environment, leading with empathy, building trust, focusing on long-term success, leading by example, and celebrating team achievements. Simon Sinek
Applying these principles can foster a cohesive and motivated team that can achieve sustainable success where everyone wins. under effective leadership.
Leaders Eat Last is a MUST addition to any Leaders - Success Library.
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