How can you apply servant leadership principles to cross-functional media teams?

1 Know your team

The first step to becoming a servant leader in a cross-functional media team is to know your team members well. This means understanding their roles, responsibilities, strengths, weaknesses, goals, motivations, preferences, and personalities. You can do this by having regular one-on-one conversations, asking for feedback, conducting surveys, or using personality assessments. By knowing your team, you can better serve their needs, tailor your communication style, provide appropriate guidance and support, and foster trust and respect.

2 Share your vision

The second step to becoming a servant leader in a cross-functional media team is to share your vision for the team and the media project. This means articulating the purpose, objectives, scope, and expectations of the project, and how it aligns with the team and the organization's mission and values. You can do this by creating a clear and compelling project brief, presenting it to the team, inviting questions and input, and documenting and communicating any changes or updates. By sharing your vision, you can inspire your team, clarify their roles and responsibilities, align their efforts, and ensure accountability.

3 Empower your team

The third step to becoming a servant leader in a cross-functional media team is to empower your team to take ownership of their work and make decisions. This means delegating tasks and authority, providing resources and tools, encouraging creativity and innovation, and removing obstacles and barriers. You can do this by setting SMART goals, defining success criteria, establishing feedback loops, offering recognition and rewards, and creating a culture of learning and growth. By empowering your team, you can enhance their autonomy, confidence, motivation, and performance.

4 Collaborate with your team

The fourth step to becoming a servant leader in a cross-functional media team is to collaborate with your team on solving problems and achieving goals. This means involving them in planning, brainstorming, testing, reviewing, and improving the media project, and leveraging their diverse skills and perspectives. You can do this by facilitating effective meetings, using collaborative tools and platforms, creating a feedback-friendly environment, and resolving conflicts and issues. By collaborating with your team, you can improve the quality and efficiency of the media project, foster a sense of belonging and contribution, and build a cohesive and productive team.

5 Develop your team

The fifth step to becoming a servant leader in a cross-functional media team is to develop your team's skills and capabilities. This means providing them with opportunities to learn, grow, and advance in their careers, and supporting their personal and professional goals. You can do this by identifying their learning needs and interests, offering coaching and mentoring, creating development plans, providing training and resources, and facilitating cross-functional learning and exchange. By developing your team, you can increase their competence, satisfaction, and retention, and prepare them for future challenges and opportunities.

6 Serve your team

The sixth and final step to becoming a servant leader in a cross-functional media team is to serve your team's well-being and happiness. This means caring for their physical, mental, and emotional health, and creating a positive and supportive work environment. You can do this by showing appreciation and gratitude, celebrating successes and milestones, acknowledging challenges and failures, providing flexibility and balance, and promoting wellness and self-care. By serving your team, you can strengthen your relationships, boost their morale and engagement, and create a loyal and committed team.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?