Difference Between Servant Leadership and Transformational Leadership

There are leaders at all levels; leadership is not just for the elite. Furthermore, several tactics and methods might combine to create a distinctive leadership style. Two examples of these leadership philosophies are transformational leadership and servant leadership. Both of these leadership philosophies can be successful for people and companies.

The primary distinction between transformational leadership and servant leadership is that the latter places the leader's attention on the company and its goals, while the former places the leader's attention on his followers.

What is Servant Leadership?

When you witness someone exhibiting servant leadership, you are witnessing someone who personifies the saying that deeds speak louder than words. Serving others and setting an example for others is the aim of the leadership concept known as "servant leadership".

Leaders are too frequently perceived as people in positions of authority, possessing significant influence and highly regarded titles. But not everyone can be a leader. Those who practice servant leadership are among the most powerful figures in a community.

The primary distinction between the two approaches is that servant leadership places more emphasis on the personal growth of those under their direction than just organizational expansion. Servant leaders are effective without a fancy degree because they are servant leaders. By emulating the precise traits of a good leader, they model leadership for others.

Servant leadership has numerous benefits. The first skill of a servant leader is the ability to decide when to be proactive and when to step back and allow subordinates to take on greater leadership and responsibility. By striking a balance between these two needs, the servant leader can develop new business and community leaders without the usual hierarchical authoritative design.

At that point, companies will begin to grow as a result of the development of their workforce. Providing employees with the authority to carry out their jobs enables increased output, improved morale, and improved engagement.

What is Transformational Leadership?

Transformational leadership typically focuses on inspiring, motivating, and encouraging people to advance to the next phase of their careers. It will eventually contribute to the organization's success in the future. Moreover, the process by which "leaders and their followers raise one another to higher levels of morality and motivation" is seen as transformational leadership.

Without exerting control, transformational leaders encourage and inspire their team members. Additionally, they have faith in skilled workers to be empowered and assume control over decisions related to the duties they are allocated. Additionally, this management approach provides ample room for staff members to be innovative and proactive in coming up with fresh answers to pressing problems.

Key Differences Between Servant Leadership and Transformational Leadership

• The primary distinction between transformational and servant leadership is the leadership focus. While a leader practicing transformational leadership encourages his followers to participate and support the company's goals, a servant leader helps his followers.
• While servant leaders influence their people by the services they provide, transformational leaders rely far more on their charismatic qualities to do so. When it comes to keeping people from becoming dissatisfied and stagnant, servant leaders, compared to transformational leaders, are more concerned about personal aspirations than the objectives of the organization.
• While transformational leadership emphasizes enacting change and progress within the team, servant leadership emphasizes serving the team members.
• While transformational leaders may ultimately consult with their team to make decisions, servant leaders often participate in group decision-making that emphasizes consensus and collaboration.
• While transformational leaders concentrate on accomplishing business goals and objectives, servant leaders place a higher priority on the personal development and well-being of their team members.
• While transformational leaders inspire and push their teams to go above and beyond their initial goals, servant leaders inspire and care for their team members.
• Servant leaders may have a more subdued, quiet appearance and may lead through actions and service rather than charisma. Transformational leaders frequently possess a charismatic presence that inspires and encourages their team.
• Another distinction is that Servant Leadership encompasses a higher purpose or larger aim, such as enhancing humankind, fostering community development, or lowering environmental degradation. On the other hand, the goal of transformational leadership is to enhance and change individuals and groups in a broader sense, such as businesses, teams, and organizations.
• Not to mention, the transformational leadership style is a component of the Full Range Leadership Model, which provides the transformational leader with more alternatives, nuances, and complexity than the servant leader does. In addition to the four levels of transformational leadership, there are three levels of transactional leadership and the eighth level of laissez-faire leadership, which is the most submissive and unproductive type. There are no specific stages or levels of servant leadership that may be applied to various corporate contexts.

Difference Table

Conclusion

While both leadership philosophies emphasize people, they have quite distinct areas of focus. The primary distinction between transformational and servant leadership is that the former is concerned with the leader supporting and participating in organizational goals. At the same time, the latter is more concerned with the leader serving his people.