Breaking Free to Become a Servant Leader

Leadership can feel heavy. Many leaders are overwhelmed, stuck in a cycle of endless demands and expectations. They know something’s missing—a sense of connection, purpose, and meaning—but they don’t know how to fix it. The problem is often invisible: the masks they wear to project confidence, control, or invulnerability. These masks don’t just weigh them down; they create distance from others, limiting trust and authentic relationships.

Servant leadership offers a way forward. It’s not about authority or charisma; it’s about helping others succeed while reclaiming your own sense of purpose. But choosing this path isn’t easy—it requires letting go of ego and stepping into a new way of leading.

The Hidden Problem: Masks That Hold Us Back

The masks leaders wear often start as protection. They signal authority, competence, and resolve. But over time, these masks take on a life of their own. They keep leaders from being fully present, from forming real connections, and from inviting their teams into something greater. The result? Disconnection, burnout, and a gnawing sense of inadequacy.

When leaders focus more on how they’re perceived than on what they can give, they miss the point of leadership entirely. Their teams see through the act, trust erodes, and opportunities for meaningful growth are lost. Servant leadership challenges this status quo by asking leaders to take off the masks and focus on others.

A Real Shift: What Servant Leadership Looks Like

For Scott Schimmel, servant leadership isn’t an abstract theory. It’s personal. He first saw it in action through a mentor who didn’t give advice or lectures but instead showed genuine interest in Scott’s story. That experience shifted Scott’s understanding of leadership from telling others what to do to helping them discover who they’re meant to be.

Servant leadership is practical. It starts with curiosity—deeply understanding what others need to grow—and it requires a willingness to support that growth without expecting anything in return. It’s about being fully present, seeing others as they are, and speaking to their potential. It’s not about abandoning yourself; it’s about stepping into the relationships that matter most with honesty and humility.

The Cost of Avoiding Change

The choice to embrace servant leadership or stick with traditional models has real consequences. Leaders who cling to outdated habits—acting as if they have all the answers or operating from a place of control—end up stuck in cycles of mistrust and frustration. Their teams grow disengaged, creativity dries up, and they carry the weight of leadership alone.

On the other hand, leaders who prioritize service see a different outcome. Trust builds naturally. Teams thrive because they feel valued and understood. The leader, too, experiences a shift—less burden, more clarity, and a deeper connection to the work that matters most.

A Challenge for Leaders

Servant leadership isn’t just a theory; it’s a practice. It’s about asking tough questions of yourself: What masks am I wearing? How do they limit my connection to others? What would it take to lead with honesty and care?

The real work begins when you decide to take off the mask. It’s not easy—there’s risk and vulnerability in being seen for who you truly are. But the reward is worth it: relationships built on trust, teams united in purpose, and a leadership experience that feels meaningful.

Reflection Questions

• What are the masks I wear in my leadership? How do they show up in my behavior and interactions?

• How do I think my team perceives me? Do they see the real me, or only the image I project?

• When was the last time I asked someone on my team what they truly need to succeed?

• What holds me back from being fully honest and present in my leadership?

• How might my leadership change if I focused less on control and more on connection?

• What small step can I take today to demonstrate servant leadership in my relationships?

The journey begins with honest reflection. Will you take the first step? Schedule your discovery call now.