Welcome to the final post in our series on the 11 characteristics of a servant leader. Throughout this series, we’ve explored crucial traits including active listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building community. In this concluding post, we focus on the final characteristic: Calling.

What is Calling?

Calling, in the context of servant leadership, refers to a leader’s deep sense of purpose and commitment to their role. It’s about understanding and embracing one’s unique role within the organization and being driven by a profound sense of responsibility and passion. A leader with a strong sense of calling is motivated by a greater purpose, which influences their actions and decisions, and inspires others to align with this vision.

The Role of “Calling”

While a strong sense of calling can enhance the authenticity and depth of a leader’s commitment to servant leadership, it is not an absolute requirement. Leaders can still practice servant leadership effectively by:

• Cultivating a Growth Mindset: Focusing on personal development and the development of others.
• Building Emotional Intelligence: Enhancing skills in empathy, self-awareness, and relationship management.
• Practicing Self-Reflection: Regularly reflecting on their leadership behaviors and their impact on others.
• Seeking Feedback: Actively seeking and acting on feedback to improve their leadership approach.

The Impact of Calling on Team Performance

1. Inspires Motivation and Engagement:
   • Why it Matters: Motivation and engagement drive high performance and commitment.
   • Impact: Leaders who are driven by a sense of calling inspire their teams by modeling dedication and enthusiasm, which boosts overall motivation and engagement.
2. Enhances Vision and Direction:
   • Why it Matters: Clear vision and direction are essential for strategic success.
   • Impact: Leaders with a strong calling provide a compelling vision and purpose, guiding their team with clarity and focus toward achieving common goals.
3. Promotes Resilience:
   • Why it Matters: Resilience is crucial for overcoming challenges and setbacks.
   • Impact: A leader’s deep sense of purpose helps them remain steadfast and resilient in the face of adversity, encouraging their team to persist and adapt.
4. Fosters a Sense of Meaning:
   • Why it Matters: A sense of meaning enhances job satisfaction and fulfillment.
   • Impact: Leaders who are driven by a calling help team members see the significance of their work, leading to increased satisfaction and a stronger connection to their roles.
5. Encourages Alignment with Organizational Values:
   • Why it Matters: Alignment with values ensures coherence and integrity within the organization.
   • Impact: Leaders with a strong calling model and reinforce organizational values, helping their team align with these values and maintain ethical and purposeful behavior.

Practical Strategies for Embracing Calling

1. Clarify Your Purpose:
   • Reflect on your personal and professional values, strengths, and passions. Understand how these align with your role and the organization’s mission.
2. Communicate Your Vision:
   • Share your sense of purpose and vision with your team. Articulate how their roles contribute to the larger goals and mission of the organization.
3. Lead by Example:
   • Demonstrate dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm in your actions. Let your passion for your work be evident and contagious.
4. Encourage Team Members to Find Their Calling:
   • Support team members in identifying their own sense of purpose and how it aligns with their roles. Provide opportunities for them to pursue meaningful work.
5. Align Actions with Values:
   • Ensure that your decisions and actions reflect your values and the organization’s mission. Uphold high ethical standards and demonstrate integrity.
6. Celebrate Contributions to the Mission:
   • Recognize and celebrate how team members’ efforts contribute to the organization’s mission. Acknowledge the impact of their work and the shared sense of purpose.

Real-World Example:

Imagine a nonprofit organization focused on providing educational resources to underserved communities. A leader with a strong sense of calling in this role would passionately advocate for the mission, inspire their team with stories of the positive impact their work is having, and continuously reinforce the importance of their collective efforts. This leader’s deep commitment to the cause would drive the team to remain dedicated and resilient, even when facing challenges, and would help everyone see the meaningful impact of their contributions.

Conclusion

Calling is a pivotal characteristic of servant leadership that significantly influences team performance. By inspiring motivation, enhancing vision, promoting resilience, fostering a sense of meaning, and encouraging alignment with values, leaders who embrace calling create a purpose-driven and high-performing team environment.

Thank you for following along with our series on the 11 characteristics of a servant leader. We hope these insights have provided valuable guidance for developing and enhancing your servant leadership skills.

---

Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences with calling in the comments below. How has a sense of calling impacted your leadership approach? What challenges have you encountered in embracing this characteristic? Let’s continue the conversation and learn from each other’s experiences!