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From Manager to Coach: The Real Role of a Servant Leader - The Leadership Thought Collective
- DAB Marketing
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 24
There’s a subtle shift happening in great organizations today.
We’re moving from managers… to coaches.
From controlling… to empowering.
From barking orders… to building leaders.
And the heartbeat of that shift? It’s called servant leadership.
Managers Maintain. Coaches Multiply.
Many of us aren't taught how to lead. It's usually something we are thrown into and we hopefully figure it out as we go. I can remember a ton of examples of "Bad Managers" in my life. The ones expecting you to fail, waiting on you to do it wrong so they can prove to you why they are the best... We've all been there. But when we are given the chance to lead, we are faced with choice, how will we lead?
When we lead like managers, our default mode is control.
We see problems—we fix them.
We see underperformance—we confront it.
We see inefficiency—we step in.
But here's the catch:
Managers stay busy fixing things, while leaders build teams that fix things on their own.
That’s the difference between control and empowerment.
Managers say:🧠 “Let me handle it.”
Coaches say:🧠 “Let me help you walk through it real quick.”
Servant Leadership Is Definitely Way More Than Being “Nice”
Let’s get one thing straight: Servant leadership isn’t soft.
It’s strategic.
It’s patient.
And it’s incredibly effective.
Why? Because real leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room—it’s about multiplying the smartest room possible.
When we coach instead of command, we:
✅ Build confidence in those that work with us.
✅ Develop problem-solvers and not problem bringers.
✅ Create ownership
✅ Free ourselves up to focus on what’s next for the business.
Servant Leaders Set the Standard—With Accountability
Servant leadership isn’t passive. It’s not just “being supportive” and hoping people figure it out. It’s about leading by example and holding yourself—and your team—to a higher standard.
Accountability isn’t just for the person doing the job.
It’s just as important for the person leading them.
When you serve your team well, you don’t lower the bar—you raise it.
You show them what excellence looks like.
You make the expectations clear.
You follow through, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Because here’s the truth:
You can’t hold others accountable if you’re not first accountable to the mission yourself.
In servant leadership, we don’t get a free pass because we’re “the boss.”
We carry the weight.
We go first.
And we create a culture where everyone takes ownership—not because they’re afraid, but because they care.
Replace Yourself—On Purpose
I’m constantly replacing myself in my business.
That’s not failure. That’s growth.
If I’m the only one who can do it, we’re limited.
If I’m the one who teaches others how to do it, we scale.
That’s the real test of leadership:
Model it – Show the way.
Mentor it – Teach the why.
Multiply it – Let them lead it better than you.
Whether you’re leading a single technician in the field or you’re the CEO of a manufacturing company supplying the industry—this is how it works. The same principles apply. Different titles. Same responsibility.
Your Team Doesn’t Need a Boss.
They Need a Leader Worth Following.
When your people are stuck, it’s tempting to take over.
But leadership isn’t about reminding them who’s in charge.
It’s about reminding them what they’re capable of. You hired them to bring value to team. You have to let them do it! Show them the way then empower them to do it on their own.
If you want a team that solves problems, makes decisions, and takes ownership…
Lead like a coach leads.
Lead like a servant.
Lead like someone worth following.
That’s how businesses grow.
That’s how cultures thrive.
That’s how leaders are made.
🧠 The Final Thought:
You don’t build a legacy by being the hero.
You build it by creating heroes around you.
