Servant Leadership: How Serving Others Transformed My Team and Community
"It's better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership." – Nelson Mandela
Last week, I delved into the transformative power of servant leadership and its crucial role in guiding our teams. Today, I invite you to embark on a deeper exploration—not just of the concept itself but of how this leadership philosophy has profoundly influenced my journey, my team, and the vibrant communities we serve.
Why Servant Leadership Resonates With Me
To me, true leadership is about more than just having a title or authority; it's about serving others. Every day, I think about some key questions that guide my actions and fuel my passion:
- Are the people I lead becoming healthier, wiser, and more empowered because of my guidance?
- Are we supporting those who are most vulnerable, making sure they feel seen and valued?
These questions, inspired by Robert K. Greenleaf, are central to my approach to leadership.
I aim to lead with a genuine desire to serve, not out of obligation; to give generously rather than look for personal gain; and to motivate through my actions instead of forcing compliance.
As a physician, coach, and advocate for women’s health, I've seen how servant leadership can transform organizations and make a real difference in people's lives. Let's all commit to this journey of service—by lifting others, we lift ourselves too.
Bringing Servant Leadership Into Healthcare
At Lilly Women's Health, we have reimagined care to focus on people, not just systems. This means dismantling long wait times, addressing unanswered emails and phone calls, and eliminating impersonal experiences. Every woman who walks through our doors receives the attention, dignity, and respect she deserves.
Our commitment extends to our Woman for Woman™ Initiative, where every paid breast care service directly funds screenings for women in underserved regions of Nigeria. Through this initiative, our patients are not just caring for themselves; they are actively empowering another woman in need.
Moreover, in our documentary Tufiakwa, we amplify the voices of women bravely battling breast cancer under challenging circumstances. Their narratives serve as a powerful reminder that empathy and advocacy are just as critical as clinical expertise.
Each of these initiatives is rooted in a singular belief: leadership is service.
The Ripple Effect on My Team
When your team knows they are heard, valued, and supported, they truly come alive. I have seen my team members fully embrace their unique talents when they realize they are not just employees but partners in a shared mission. You can witness their incredible energy and dedication here. I am immensely proud of my team because they embody leadership themselves—guiding communities toward better health with unmatched passion and enthusiasm.
Servant leadership fosters:
- Empathy – so that both patients and staff feel truly understood.
- Collaboration – breaking down silos and nurturing a culture of teamwork.
- Growth – ensuring professionals feel invested in and motivated.
When our team flourishes, our patients flourish, too.
How Servant Leadership Transformed the Community
Servant leadership extends far beyond clinic walls—it directly enriches the broader community:
- Accessible Care for the Most Vulnerable: Through free screening events and community partnerships—like the Be Pink Coalition, our Ambassador Program, and Save-a-Sister campaigns—we’ve brought breast health awareness and services to women who might otherwise face barriers. These efforts have built trust and wellbeing that ripple through families and neighborhoods.
- Empowered Community Voices: When we prioritize listening and serving, women feel validated and heard. Many have gone on to become volunteers, advocates, and champions in their own right—extending our mission of empowerment far beyond our breast care centre.
- Strengthened Local Networks: Our collaborations with local pharmacies, ambassadors, and coalitions deepen ties and foster a robust ecosystem of care—creating lasting trust and engagement that transcend any single initiative .
From a single act of service—a mammogram, a conversation, a screening—to sustainable community support, we’re witnessing a transformation: women empowered to care for themselves, and then to lift others in return.
Lessons I’ve Learned Along the Way
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Embracing self-care is a hallmark of true leadership. While the act of serving others is undeniably impactful, it all begins with the essential practice of maintaining balance and establishing clear boundaries. A leader who is depleted cannot effectively create lasting change.
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Every small action matters. Transformation often arises from the simplest of gestures—whether it's offering a listening ear to a patient or providing heartfelt encouragement to a colleague—these fleeting moments can spark profound change.
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Stories are the catalysts for inspiration and transformation. Through the power of books, blogs, and films, storytelling has the ability to open hearts and ignite movements that can alter the course of lives.
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Service is a multiplying force. When leaders commit to serving their teams, those teams, in turn, elevate their care for patients. And in this ripple effect, patients uplift their families and communities, creating a cycle of positivity and growth.
Why I Keep Choosing to Serve
I continue this journey because I have witnessed the results. Women leave our clinic not only screened but empowered. Healthcare workers depart feeling more engaged and committed. Communities strengthen through shared service and compassion.
Servant leadership is not just a guiding principle for me; it is the very anchor of my purpose in leadership.
A Call to Leaders Everywhere
If you hold a leadership position—especially in healthcare—I encourage you to reimagine what leadership can be. Shift your perspective from “How can my team serve me?” to “How can I serve my team and community?”
The answers you discover might transform more lives than you could ever imagine—including your own.
Your Turn
How do you practice servant leadership in your own sphere—whether at work, home, or in your community? I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below. Let's inspire each other!
With gratitude,
Dr. Lilian O. Ebuoma
The Inspirer
