As you may be aware, there are volumes written on the topic of being a servant leader. Perhaps one of the first works came from Robert Greenleaf’s book “Servant Leadership: a journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness.”

I must confess for quite a while when I thought about servanthood, I had a vision of an activity performed by a relatively low-skilled person. My “old school mindset” assumed that if we serve, people will have a lesser view of us. Over the years I have come to learn that couldn’t be further from the truth.

To prove the point, think about a mother. They naturally serve their family members. Mother’s are typically the one person in our life who has served us more than any one else. So here is the question, “Do you have a lesser view of a mother because she serves, or a higher view?” Most everyone would say higher. Why is that so?

Serving other people has exactly the opposite effect on them from what we think it will. Here is what I know to be true. People are drawn to people who connect with them, who add value to their lives, and yes, who serve them.

Being a servant leader is not about position or skill, it is about seeking and finding ways to add value. If it is true that our people are our most important asset — than being a servant leader is a good investment of our time.