The Noble CFO by Art Zylstra

Author:Art Zylstra
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: -
Publisher: Indie Books International®, INC.
Published: 2021-09-16T00:00:00+00:00

Evidence Of Pursuing An Attitude Of Service

Organizations exist to serve. Period.

Leaders live to serve. Period.33

—TOM PETERS

Many executives in business would disagree with Peters’ understanding of leadership. Many people who are in positions of power would look at “servanthood” as a weakness. They see this type of leadership as beneath their dignity and putting themselves in a position to be taken advantage of.

Simon Sinek has worked with organizations around the world. He has observed team environments that generate deep trust with each other. They are high functioning teams that foster trust and are willing to do whatever it takes to help their team members. Other groups are dysfunctional, fragmented, and on the verge of failure. These teams are driven by cynicism, paranoia, and self-interest. What is the critical difference between these two types of groups? In most cases it comes down to leadership.

In his book Leaders Eat Last, Simon Sinek describes what he calls a “Circle of Safety” as the catalyst to foster trust and cooperation inside teams.34 This circle of safety protects the security of the team from the challenges of outside forces. The group focuses on helping each other inside the team succeed rather than taking individual credit to make management happy. The concept is that when we get to know each other and trust that each person within the team has your back, then we are more likely to freely exchange information and ideas that will benefit the organization and move it forward. Without trust, the team members will be afraid information that they share will be used against them. Or someone else will take credit for a new innovative idea. When a leader provides a safe environment for the team to work, they will put their best efforts forward. A servant-leader creates a work environment of encouragement. Workers in an environment of encouragement are free to learn, feel valued, and thrive. Productivity soars and people flourish. A synergy is developed and collaboration increases.

Servant-leadership in business is not just a theory in academia. The following are seven large companies that have made leading by serving an essential foundation for success:35

FedEx was founded in 1971 by Fred Smith, who still leads the company as CEO. He believes “when people are placed first, they will provide the highest possible service, and profits will follow.” What emerged from this thinking is a distinctive company culture. The “People-Service-Profit” philosophy has helped the company grow rapidly and remain competitive.

Marriott is another company founded on a “people first” philosophy. As another service company, the thinking is very similar: “Take care of associates, and they will take care of the customers.”

Starbucks may not be an obvious choice of servant-leadership organization, but the culture of inclusion and social responsibility is deeply rooted in servant-leadership. Howard Schultz is described here as a true servant leader.

SAS is a leader in data analytics and artificial intelligence, based in North Carolina. SAS believes “in empowering our employees to change the way the world works.” As Jim Goodnight, the founder and CEO, says, “Treat employees like they make a difference, and they will.

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