The Leader Who puts People First
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
PMA
5/18/20262 min read
Through the years, several leadership styles have been defined in the literature. Some of them are transformational leadership, transactional Leadership, situational Leadership, servant leadership, autocratic leadership, democratic Leadership, among others.
Today, we’ll explore one of these. You will have to guess at the end which of these styles I’m talking about.
Let me give you some clues about how this leader behaves:
Have you ever felt that a Leader really cares about who you are, what you value, and supports your career growth?
Have you ever felt safe enough to bring a personal issue that affects your job or to raise a concern about a mistake you made without hesitation?
Have you ever felt inspired and motivated to develop skills and challenge yourself with demanding projects at work?
A Traditional leadership often asks: How can people help me achieve the goal?
This leadership style asks: How can I help people become their best while we pursue the goal together?
The three fundamentals of this leadership style are:
Empathy
Stewardship
Commitment to help people to grow
This Leader is able to listen with Empathy and acknowledge the feelings of the other person with care and understanding.
Then, this leader’s stewardship mindset is: I am responsible for the people and the culture I influence. I will leave things better than I found them. I’m here to help others succeed, not to seek recognition.
Finally, this leader has a serious commitment and intention to develop people’s potential
.
This Leader aims to create a culture where people feel valued, supported, and motivated to contribute at their highest level.
However, this type of leadership can’t be fulfilled without a single trait:
Humility!
It empowers leaders to say:
“I don’t have all the answers.”
“Your perspective matters.”
“Let’s solve this together.”
This mindset turns leadership from authority into true partnership.
If you have not realized yet, the Leadership style I have been talking about is:
The Servant Leadership!
Do you want to know if you are this type of leader?
Here is my coaching exercise for today, think:
Do I put people first? When making decisions, do you prioritize the well‑being, growth, and dignity of others over convenience, ego, or speed?
Do I actively listen before I act? Do people feel heard, understood, and valued after interacting with you, or do you tend to direct, fix, or interrupt?
Do I use my power to serve rather than control? Are you empowering others, sharing authority, and building autonomy or centralizing decisions around yourself?
Do people grow because of my leadership? Can you point to individuals who have become more capable, confident, or fulfilled because of your influence?
Do I build trust through humility and consistency? Do your actions match your words, and do you lead with humility rather than status or recognition?
Servant leadership isn’t about personality—it’s about intention, behavior, and the impact you leave on others.
Ego pulls attention toward your image, status, or correctness. Humility shifts attention toward the team, the mission, and the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Finally, Ask yourself at the end of each day:
Did my leadership make someone else’s day easier, clearer, or more meaningful?
If the answer is yes, you’re leading with service.
Have you heard about this leadership style before? Do you recall any famous leaders who follow this style?
Paola,
Career and Leadership Coach - Lead with passion, enthusiasm, and humanity.