Palm Beach Gardens Living - September 2025

10 PA L M B E A C H G A R D E N S L I V I N G | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 5 - By Bob Fashano - The Servant T he word “servant” dates to the 13th century and comes from the Anglo-French word “servir”, which means to serve or to be useful. However, it is interesting that throughout history, servants have been considered lower-class individuals, typically without a higher set of skills and abilities. These people worked for those who were wealthier, more connected, and perceived to be smarter and better than they were. What I believe to be reality is that being a leader doesn’t mean that you get to sit at the top of the pyramid and tell everyone else what to do. It means you stand at the bottom of the pyramid and help prop everyone else up. In fact, if you have the traditional org chart, may I suggest you turn it upside down and visually demonstrate “servant leadership”? Service orientation for a leader manifests itself in three critical ways: service to your leaders, service to your team, and service to your customer. SERVING YOUR LEADERS: See yourself as their strategic partner in their growth. That can happen best when you intentionally connect with them. Your leaders are key to the organization. They are individuals and have unique needs and wants. Some may need mentoring, some may need coaching, and others may need to be challenged. Some may need additional resources to help them execute more effectively, while some may just need to be listened to. But I caution you not to leave them alone. Stay connected to your best. SERVING YOUR TEAM: Let’s remember that as a leader, one of your core responsibilities is to develop more leaders. Work on creating an atmosphere of growth. Provide ways to challenge them to learn more. Have available resources for them. I have found there are three ways to increase the productivity of people: • Firmly believe in them and their ability to grow and improve • They believe in you, firmly believe in them • There is mutual trust SERVING CUSTOMERS: It is no surprise that creating a positive experience for your customers is the most effective way to serve them. Ask yourself, “What will WOW them? What will be memorable?” According to a recent study by Walker Consulting, “customer experience is projected to overtake price and product as the key brand differentiator.” It is important to remember that you can’t serve without humility and vulnerability. If you believe that you, as a leader, never make mistakes, who always make the best decisions, and who should never be challenged or questioned, then you will have difficulty embracing the servant mindset. Author and leadership expert John Maxwell has something to say to that kind of leader: “ Get over yourself, you’re not that good.” When we think of humility, we must remember it is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. It is an “others first mindset.” In his book Good To Great, author Jim Collins talks about research he did with 1500 companies over a 30-year period. He wanted to find out what separates truly great companies from the rest. He discovered that one of the qualities that leaders of great organizations possess is humility. In theCEOstudymentioned above, the research found that the executives with humility built stronger leadership teams and a culture based on trust. Serving your leaders, your customers, and your team is an honorable leadership characteristic and one that is lasting. Bob Fashano is the founder of Lead One Consulting, LLC, an executive Coaching and Leadership Development Company located in Palm Beach Gardens. Bob Is a certified Executive Coach from the Center for Executive Coaching and a member of the International Coaching Federation. He is the author of a recently released book, "Make Today Your Masterpiece" and a new book to be released in the second quarter of 2025. He serves on the Keiser Flagship Advisory Counsel. COMMUNITY