has to focus on more than the success of the business. It must also adopt a ‘servant leadership’ mentality in which the main goal of the philosophy is to serve, to place the needs of employees first and to help staff THE NOT-SO-GOOD NEWS: The high develop and perform at higher levels. Servant leadership is not a new close rates during initial reopening concept, as it was originally coined in and summer months appear to have plateaued as a noticeable percentage 1970 by author and consultant Robert of brides-to-be revert to pre-Covid-19 K. Greenleaf in his essay The Servant as Leader. It is in my mind the right shopping behaviors including time and circumstances to give this shopping multiple stores, requests approach its due. for larger bridal parties, no-show An excellent description of the appointments, and a slight increase key elements of servant leadership in walk ins, all amid high levels of can be found in The Case for Servant indecision. Leadership, written last year by Rose One often-voiced complaint: O. Sherman for Nurse Leader Journal: “we’re back to brides who, near the end of their in-store appointment, 1 Listening: the servant leader call another salon to set up an actively listens to the needs of staff appointment.” and helps to support them in their Additionally, this return to decision-making. an indecisive shopping bride is 2 Empathy: seeks first to understand adding another level of stress on the needs of others and empathize stylists striving to service, sell and with them. accommodate their clients in difficult circumstances, and often under their 3 Healing: helps staff to resolve their problems, negotiate their conflicts, own pressures and concerns for their and encourage the formation of a health and future. Which now, rather healing environment. belatedly, brings me to my main point: 4 Awareness: has a high degree of emotional intelligence and Looking ahead self-awareness. He or she views Though the storm appears to be situations from a holistic, systems clearing, there are still rough seas perspective. ahead. Frankly our leadership skills 5 Persuasion: does not use coercive will continue to be put to the test. To power to influence or persuade survive, and succeed, our best efforts but instead uses their powers of will have to be even better. persuasion. Employees in a full range of 6 Conceptualisation: sees beyond businesses are reporting increased the day-to-day operations of their stresses of added workloads and unit or department. They can focus uncertainty about the future, often on the bigger picture and build a accentuated by supervisors and personal vision. bosses overwhelmed by the same 7 Foresight: can envision the likely stresses. outcome of a situation and is According to recent workplace proactive in attempts to create the surveys, female employees are best consequences. reporting the highest levels of stress 8 Stewardship: is a good steward of with 30%+ feeling burned out, and the resources and staff that they 40%+ feeling exhausted. are given. They feel an obligation In these particular days, and for to help and serve others without this woman-dominated industry, our focusing on their own rewards. leadership approach and philosophy regional pop-up events to connect with accounts and to showcase gowns. And a significant factor: the end of the US election season.
9 Commitment to the growth of people: is inclusive of all staff and sees value in everyone. They attempt to maximize the strengths of all who work with them. 10 Building community: recognises the importance of building a sense of community among staff. In reviewing these elements, it’s apparent to me that this is also an excellent description of the everyday approach for which many of you are known. But if you are stressed, unsure of the effectiveness of this philosophy, battered by the storm, consider this conclusion offered by McKinsey and Company in its recent report on empowering employees: “In many ways, there is only one question any manager need ask: How do I make my team members’ lives easier – physically, cognitively, and emotionally? Research shows that this ‘servant leader’ mentality and disposition enhances both team performance and satisfaction. Moreover, studies also suggest that managers themselves are happier and find their roles more meaningful when they feel they are helping other people.” And this… according to new research from Emlyon Business School, Paris, France, servant leadership not only improves morale, it also increases company profits. So good news, and not-so-good news. But cautious optimism as we all navigate through these troubling seas. And at the risk of over-extending this sailing metaphor, please allow a concluding and appropriate story courtesy of an old merchant marine buddy: “Piloting a freighter over long distances, once the heading is set and the voyage undertaken, requires making small and continuous adjustments to counter the effects of current, winds and tides.” Doing so insured the ship reached its destination.
N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 ♦ W E D D I N G T R A D E R ♦ 27
