Last updated on Jul 4, 2024

Here's how you can evaluate servant leadership skills through common interview questions.

Evaluating leadership qualities during an interview can be as much about the subtleties of what is said as it is about the overt content. Servant leadership, a term coined by Robert K. Greenleaf, refers to a leadership philosophy which emphasizes the leader's role as a caretaker of their team, prioritizing the growth and well-being of team members and the communities to which they belong. When you're looking to identify a servant leader, consider how they discuss their approach to leadership, their past experiences, and their vision for team development.

1 Understand Empathy

Empathy is a cornerstone of servant leadership. It's about understanding and sharing the feelings of others. During interviews, you can gauge a candidate's empathy by asking them to describe a time when they had to handle a sensitive situation or support a team member through a challenge. Listen for indications that they placed themselves in the other person's shoes and took action that considered the individual's emotional well-being, not just the business outcome.

Add your perspective

Tyrell A. Morris

Strategic Leadership | Team Development | Change Management | Leadership Coach — Author of “Make Your Next Move Your Best Move-The Dream Play Booklet” on Amazon
Report contribution
Empathy is the blueprint for when it comes to servant leadership. Being able to feel what others are experiencing through the process of listening to others is a powerful skill to have. Knowing how to recognize pain and listen for understanding before asking questions is useful when handling “courageous conversations” during any servant leadership moment. You can also learn about others ability to recognize empathy through listening how they relate to others when dealing with a tough situation.

Like
Mj Salmorin

Former Director of Operations | Strategic Partner in Employer Branding, Talent Assessment & Recruitment | Driving Employee Engagement & Business Growth
Report contribution
Empathy is a cornerstone of servant leadership, something I learned firsthand as the Director of Operations at Alorica. During a critical date, a team lead faced a family crisis. The team rallied to support her, improving morale and cohesion. This experience reinforced the importance of empathy in leadership. Empathy creates a supportive and effective work environment.

Like

2 Seek Listening

Servant leaders are exceptional listeners. They don't just hear words; they understand the underlying messages and emotions conveyed by their team. To evaluate this skill in an interview, ask candidates about a time they received critical feedback or had to resolve a conflict. Focus on how they describe their listening process and the steps they took to ensure they fully comprehended the perspectives involved before responding or making decisions.

Add your perspective

3 Assess Foresight

Foresight in servant leadership involves the ability to foresee potential outcomes and the impact of decisions on others. Inquire about a time when the candidate had to make a difficult decision and how they weighed the potential consequences. A servant leader will demonstrate a thoughtful approach, considering how their choices might affect team members and the larger organization, both immediately and in the long term.

Add your perspective

4 Examine Stewardship

Stewardship is the ethic that embodies responsible planning and management of resources. A servant leader is a steward of their organization's human, financial, and physical resources. Ask interviewees how they've managed resources in past roles. You're looking for responses that show an awareness of the importance of sustainable practices and the well-being of the team and organization over personal gain or short-term achievements.

Add your perspective

Vijeta SM

Senior Scrum Master | PSM I | SAFe 6.0 Agilist | Empowering Teams | Driving Agile Excellence | Continuous Improvement Advocate
Report contribution
You could possibly ask a question for, e.g., "Tell me about a time you had to make a difficult decision that impacted your team. How did you approach it?" Look for a focus on shared responsibility and team well-being. The candidate should explain how they considered the team's input and prioritized their well-being during the decision-making process.

Like

5 Evaluate Commitment

A commitment to the growth of people is what differentiates servant leaders from traditional managers. When interviewing, ask candidates about how they have contributed to the personal and professional development of their team members. Their answers should reveal a genuine interest in mentoring, providing opportunities for growth, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

Add your perspective

Daniela María Mejías Ugalde

Senior Process Documentation Analyst │ Process Development Team │Technical Writer │ LSSBBPC │ LSSGBPC │ Compliance Analyst │ Trainer │ Certified Facilitator │ Leadership Program: John Maxwell │ Mentor at Whitaker P&D
Report contribution
Evaluate Servant Leadership Skills Through Interview Questions on Commitment: During interviews, assess commitment to servant leadership by asking how candidates prioritize team needs over personal goals. Inquire about instances where they sacrificed personal gain for team success or supported colleagues' development. Evaluate their consistency in upholding ethical standards and fostering a collaborative work environment. Look for examples demonstrating long-term dedication to serving others and driving organizational success through empathy and integrity.

Like

6 Growth Facilitation

Finally, servant leaders facilitate growth by nurturing a collaborative, supportive, and empowering environment. To assess this, ask candidates to describe how they have fostered innovation and creativity within their teams. Look for examples that showcase their ability to create a safe space for experimentation, encourage diverse viewpoints, and build a culture where learning from failures is valued as much as celebrating successes.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Here's how you can evaluate servant leadership skills through common interview questions.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand Empathy

2 Seek Listening

3 Assess Foresight

4 Examine Stewardship

5 Evaluate Commitment

6 Growth Facilitation

7 Here’s what else to consider

Servant Leadership

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Servant Leadership

More relevant reading

Here's how you can evaluate servant leadership skills through common interview questions.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand Empathy

2 Seek Listening

3 Assess Foresight

4 Examine Stewardship

5 Evaluate Commitment

6 Growth Facilitation

7 Here’s what else to consider

Servant Leadership

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills