What do you do if your team collaboration and productivity are lacking with Servant Leadership?

Servant leadership is most effective is most effective with a highly functional team. If servant leadership is ineffective, my experience dictates that trust or internal motivation are the two items most likely missing. If trust is missing, you can build that over time. If internal motivation is missing, then stereotypical servant leadership may not be the ideal approach. Remember, servant leadership is not about being subservient; it's about giving the team what they need. This might mean that you need to take a firmer stand in your leadership approach.

It is always important as a leader to set a compelling vision and goals, and to make sure that it is translated into everyday practicalyties so that it is clearly understod at every level of the organization. As a leader that is your number one responsibility. But you also need to make sure you have the right people in the right chairs.

As you do this, remember that trust is a two-way street. Make sure that you trust your team to accomplish the delegated tasks. As I say this, remember one thing: If you are leading a team you don't trust, it could be YOUR problem, not the teams. In other words, your team may be trustworthy, but you are not a trusting person. This will require change on your part, not on your team's.

Communicate the expectations and goals associated with each task, empowering individuals to take ownership of their responsibilities. Provide necessary support, resources, and guidance to ensure team members feel confident and capable in their delegated roles. Encourage open communication and collaboration among team members, fostering a culture of trust and accountability. Celebrate achievements and recognize contributions to reinforce a sense of empowerment and motivation within the team. By delegating tasks and empowering your team, you can leverage their diverse talents and abilities to enhance collaboration and productivity in alignment with Servant Leadership principles.

If your team lacks servant leadership, coaching and mentoring can be powerful tools to cultivate it. I always begin by modeling servant leadership yourself: prioritize the growth and well-being of your team members, listen actively, and foster a culture of mutual support. Through coaching, you can guide your team towards understanding the value of putting others' needs first and how it enhances collective performance. Mentoring provides a more personalized approach, allowing you to share experiences and strategies that embody servant leadership qualities. These approaches not only uplift individual team members but also transform the team's dynamic, promoting a more cohesive, empathetic, and effective unit.

I personally feel that lack of collaboration is a result of lack of active listening on part of the leader and absence of meaningful appreciation. Team members are motivated to collaborate when the team culture is built on trust and growth. Communication is the key to successful team building that delivers results.