Servant Leadership vs. Survivor Followership

Attribute	Servant Leadership	Survivor Followership
Focus	On serving others	On surviving in the organization
Leadership Style	Empathetic and supportive	Adaptive and resilient
Goal	To empower and develop others	To navigate challenges and setbacks
Relationship with Authority	Collaborative and inclusive	Compliant and adaptive
Communication	Open and transparent	Strategic and cautious

Introduction

Servant leadership and survivor followership are two distinct leadership styles that have gained attention in recent years. While servant leadership focuses on serving others and putting their needs first, survivor followership involves individuals who adapt and thrive in challenging environments. In this article, we will compare the attributes of servant leadership and survivor followership to understand their differences and similarities.

Definition of Servant Leadership

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy in which the leader's primary goal is to serve others. This style of leadership emphasizes empathy, humility, and a focus on the well-being of the team members. Servant leaders prioritize the needs of their followers and work to empower them to reach their full potential. They are committed to building strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect.

Attributes of Servant Leadership

• Empathy: Servant leaders are empathetic and strive to understand the feelings and perspectives of their followers.
• Humility: Servant leaders are humble and do not seek recognition or praise for their actions.
• Listening: Servant leaders are good listeners and value the input and feedback of their team members.
• Empowerment: Servant leaders empower their followers to make decisions and take ownership of their work.
• Service: Servant leaders prioritize serving others and meeting their needs before their own.

Definition of Survivor Followership

Survivor followership refers to the ability of individuals to adapt and thrive in challenging and uncertain environments. Survivor followers are resilient, resourceful, and able to navigate through adversity. They are able to overcome obstacles and setbacks, and emerge stronger from difficult situations. Survivor followers are not passive recipients of leadership, but active participants who contribute to the success of the team.

Attributes of Survivor Followership

• Resilience: Survivor followers are resilient and able to bounce back from setbacks and challenges.
• Adaptability: Survivor followers are adaptable and able to adjust to changing circumstances and environments.
• Resourcefulness: Survivor followers are resourceful and able to find creative solutions to problems.
• Initiative: Survivor followers take initiative and are proactive in seeking opportunities for growth and development.
• Collaboration: Survivor followers work well with others and are able to build strong relationships with their team members.

Comparison of Servant Leadership and Survivor Followership

While servant leadership and survivor followership have different focuses and approaches, they share some common attributes. Both styles emphasize the importance of building strong relationships, fostering trust, and empowering team members. Servant leaders and survivor followers both prioritize the well-being and success of the team as a whole.

However, there are also key differences between servant leadership and survivor followership. Servant leadership is more focused on serving others and putting their needs first, while survivor followership is about adapting and thriving in challenging environments. Servant leaders tend to be more nurturing and supportive, while survivor followers are more resilient and resourceful in the face of adversity.

Another difference between servant leadership and survivor followership is the role of the leader versus the follower. In servant leadership, the leader takes on a more supportive and nurturing role, while in survivor followership, the follower is more proactive and takes initiative in overcoming challenges. Servant leaders empower their followers, while survivor followers take ownership of their own success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, servant leadership and survivor followership are two distinct leadership styles that have their own unique attributes and approaches. While servant leadership focuses on serving others and building strong relationships, survivor followership emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and resourcefulness in challenging environments. Both styles have their own strengths and can be effective in different situations. By understanding the differences and similarities between servant leadership and survivor followership, leaders can better adapt their leadership style to meet the needs of their team members and achieve success.