When we think of leadership, it’s easy to picture someone standing at the front of a room, giving directions, making bold decisions, and holding authority. But servant leadership flips that image completely. Instead of leading from above, servant leaders lead from beside, and often from behind. Their mission isn’t to command; it’s to support, uplift, and empower. At its heart, servant leadership is simple: a leader’s first job is to serve. Everything else flows from that. What Makes Servant Leadership Different? Servant leadership shifts the spotlight away from power and places it squarely on people. It’s a leadership style built on trust, empathy, and genuine care—not ego or hierarchy. Some of its core principles include: • Deep listening — being fully present and hearing beyond words • Empathy — understanding people’s experiences and emotions • Healing — creating spaces where people feel safe and supported • Awareness — knowing yourself and your impact • Persuasion over coercion — influencing, not forcing • Stewardship — taking responsibility for the well-being of the whole • Commitment to growth — investing in people’s development • Building community — cultivating connection and belonging In short, servant leaders care deeply about helping people flourish—professionally, personally, and as human beings. How Reitan’s Story Reflects Servant Leadership In Built to Lead, Steven Daniel Reitan’s leadership journey takes shape through service, not status. He didn’t learn leadership in boardrooms or textbooks; he learned it by showing up for others, often quietly and consistently. Reitan’s approach highlights what servant leadership truly looks like in practice: • Putting the team’s needs before his own • Leading with compassion instead of control • Choosing influence over force • Modeling the behaviors he hoped to see • Supporting people’s growth through real care For him, serving others wasn’t a strategy, it was a value. A responsibility. Even a calling. And that mindset didn’t just make him a better leader; it created healthier teams, stronger relationships, and environments where people felt valued and empowered. Why Servant Leadership Matters Today We live in a world where traditional authoritarian leadership often falls short. People don’t want to be managed, they want to be seen. They want leaders who listen, who understand, who build trust, and who care about their growth. Servant leadership offers exactly that. It creates: • More collaborative teams • More ethical and compassionate workplaces • Cultures where everyone feels respected • Leaders people willingly follow, not because they have to, but because they want to And the best part? The impact is lasting. When leaders focus on service, their influence expands far beyond their title or tenure. The Bottom Line Servant leadership teaches us one powerful truth: the most effective leaders are the ones who serve first. They lift others up, create space for people to shine, and treat leadership as an act of responsibility rather than authority. Steven Daniel Reitan’s story is a reminder that meaningful leadership isn’t built on power, it’s built on people. And when service becomes the foundation of how we lead, we don’t just achieve results, we change lives, strengthen communities, and create workplaces where everyone can thrive.