Servant leadership puts team members’ needs first and uses the leader’s skills and resources to help them grow and develop. It is especially supportive when the goal is a strong team culture and high job satisfaction. section 3.2.1
Use servant leadership as part of a flexible leadership approach:
- Focus on what team members need, then provide support and development opportunities. section 3.2.1
- Expect stronger team culture and job satisfaction, while recognizing that decisions may take longer. section 3.2.1
- Combine servant leadership with coaching, transformational, or transactional approaches when the situation calls for different support. section 3.2.1 section 3.5
- Be ready to use more directive styles when emergencies require quick decisions. section 3.2.1 section 3.5
A lead developer’s choice
When a team needs growth and support, a lead developer can prioritize members’ needs and use personal expertise or resources to help them develop. If an emergency leaves no time for team input, a more directive style may be appropriate. section 3.2.1 section 3.5
Table 3.3 Pros and cons of popular leadership styles (view table figure)
| Leadership style |
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Autocratic |
Quick and efficient decision-making |
May lead to low morale and a lack of creativity and innovation |
| Democratic |
Can lead to higher job satisfaction and commitment to the team |
May make decision-making slower |
| Transformational |
Can inspire and motivate team members |
May not be effective in situations where quick decision-making is necessary |
| Transactional |
Can be effective in achieving specific goals and improving performance |
May not foster a long-term commitment to the team or company |
| Servant |
Can lead to a strong team culture and high levels of job satisfaction |
May not be effective in situations where quick decision-making is necessary |
| Visionary |
Can inspire team members and lead to long-term success |
May not be effective in times of crisis or when quick decision-making is necessary |
| Coaching |
Can help team members develop their skills and reach their goals |
May not be effective in situations where quick decision-making is necessary |
| Laissez-faire |
Can foster creativity and innovation |
May not be effective in achieving specific goals or in times of crisis |
| Affiliative |
Can create a harmonious team environment |
May not be effective in achieving specific goals or in times of crisis |
| Commanding |
Can be effective in emergencies or when quick decision-making is necessary |
May lead to low morale and a lack of innovation |
Compare servant leadership’s team-culture benefit and slower decision-making with the trade-offs of other leadership styles. section 3.2.1
