Transformational vs Servant Leadership style of Hotel Managers

What is your leadership style?

Amongst the many answers that come to mind, A relatively uncommon used term in leadership is that of Servant Leadership. It is a concept wherein the goal of the leader is to serve. 

It lays importance on playing the role of a steward of resources in the Company to serve others whilst engaging in the accomplishment of its goals. As Hotel Managers, it is vital to have a symbiotic relationship between individual growth and that of the organisation in order for both to survive and accomplish goals.

For clarity purposes, let us look at the salient features of Servant Leadership-

1.Listening- Servant Leaders solicit others viewpoints through verbal and non verbal communication. Feedbacks are taken from everyone - be it compliments or compliments.

2. Empathy- Putting oneself in others shoes and ensuring that complaints are not brushed aside is an important aspect. 

3. Healing - Offering solutions by way of alternates, transformation and integration are a salient feature of the servant leadership.

4. Awareness-SWOT analysis of the workplace and colleagues on a regular basis is a continual process adopted by servant leaders .

5. Persuasion - Putting forth ideas and the ability to make the other person understand options and solutions not explored by them earlier. Enabling them to be convinced of the same is the role of the servant leader.

6. Conceptualization- Planning for the future and creation of action plans towards its accomplishment.

7. Foresight- Using instincts by way of derivation from past experiences and present scenarios to arrive at a future course of action.

8. Stewardship- As a caretaker of the limited resources available, the servant leader to ensure proper utilisation and maximisation of the same,

9. Commitment to growth of people - A symbiotic growth of oneself as well as everyone in the organisation is of prime importance.

10. Building community- Corporate social responsibility by way of giving back to the community.

The above is in contrast to the Transformational Leadership style of a leader boosting oneself in the organisation by way of growth.

Keeping in mind the above, the hospitality industry is in need of transformational leaders who have the ability to convince and motivate people to perform towards laid out goals. For example the hotel industry employs a huge chunk of contractual labour wherein Transformational Leadership would work wonders in providing direction and results. Similarly, Servant Leadership style may be good for subordinates but efficiency is a significant disadvantage of this leadership style apart from being  non consistent. It is often accused of ignoring organisational concerns and objectives.  In this context Transformational Leadership is the vital trait required for the hospitality . It is strongly advocated to have Transformational Leadership in place keeping the current volatile scenario in mind.

Authored by
Ankush Sharma