Do you really know what your employees need from you?
If you don’t know, then ask. One of the critical components of Servant Leadership is being in tune with your people’s needs and providing tailored leadership to each person on your team. If you want to help your team get closer to reaching their full potential, you, as their leader, should shift your leadership style accordingly and provide each person the type of leadership that inspires them.
So, do you really know what your employees need from you? If not, here are some questions to consider asking your team members:
What is the one thing you need most from me?
What is the best way I can show my support for you?
What are your top three motivators?
What are your primary triggers or “hot buttons”?
What do you enjoy most in your current role?
When you achieve your goals, how do you like to be recognized?
Are there developmental opportunities with which I could assist you?
Given how you may have been coached in the past, what would you like me to:
a) start doing? 
b) avoid doing?
c) continue doing?
You might consider making this a team-building activity. Dedicate a staff meeting to explain why this is important to you as a leader, and then allow your team to work on the above questions over a couple of weeks. Afterward, set up one-on-one meetings with each team member and let them share with you their candid responses. Of course, the leader must make the environment safe, so the employees will be open and transparent about their needs. This is all in how you frame the discussion.
As a leader, you should aim to help your team members reach their aspirational career goals. If you want to deliver great results, it starts with providing your team with what they need. Make this about them, provide them what they need, and watch the magic begin.
Blog by Gail Ciccione