Gen Zers are entering the workforce in record numbers, in fact, as of 2025 they will make up over 30% of it. They are bringing their influence, energy, and passion for the work to the ministry here at Impact 360 as well.
Over the past couple of years, we have hired Gen Zers into a variety of full-time and part-time roles working both directly with our students and other important roles across the organization.
Like many others we quickly learned they think and relate in their own unique ways. No matter which demographic you and your team members fall, however, everyone thrives within an environment that prioritizes ethical values, empathy, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of others.
The servant leadership model stands out as a model which aligns with the challenge of leading different generations in the workplace as well as with Impact 360’s discipleship strategy of KNOW, BE, LIVE. Understanding this alignment can help young leaders to lead change and empower teams effectively.
Servant leadership, a concept popularized by Robert K. Greenleaf, is based upon the primary idea that to lead others is to serve them. Unlike traditional leadership models that might risk promoting control and micromanagement, servant leaders prioritize the growth, development, and well-being of their team.
The servant leader seeks to become the model of qualities such as empathy, selflessness, integrity, and an abiding commitment to empowering others.
Impact 360’s KNOW, BE, LIVE strategy is a holistic discipleship approach which can apply to personal and professional development. It is a “head, heart, and hands” way of emphasizing a growing knowledge of what a follower of Jesus believes and why they believe it (KNOW), allowing the teachings of Christ to transform their character (BE), and living a life of Spirit-empowered influence (LIVE).
The KNOW aspect focuses on acquiring knowledge and understanding. For young professionals, this means striving for excellence in their fields, staying curious, and continuously learning. It involves not just technical skills but also a deep understanding of ethical principles and human behavior.
The BE aspect is about character and integrity. It encourages individuals to cultivate virtues such as honesty, courage, and humility. This component is about becoming the best version of oneself and leading by example. It emphasizes the importance of inner transformation and personal growth.
LIVE is the practical application of what one knows and who one is. It’s about living out values and principles in everyday actions and decisions. This component encourages young professionals to make a positive impact in their communities and the world at large, aligning actions with beliefs.
Although the servant leadership model is not founded from a faith-based perspective there is alignment that can be found between its broader principles and the KNOW, BE, LIVE (KBL) discipleship strategy. Here’s some common aspects to employ to help team members reach their potential.
- Empathy is a foundational practice to the servant leadership model and resonates with the overall KBL strategy. It requires a deep understanding of others. Understanding others can only come through an intentional investment of time in others. This investment of time communicates care and will create an environment for you as their leader to better support and guide them.
- Selflessness is one of the best reflections of Christ that a follower can demonstrate. It is also essential to the practice of servant leadership because setting others up for success is a key outcome. A servant leader has to be willing to “die to self.” This practice helps set the orientation that success in the goals of a team don’t depend on who gets the credit. It’s a team effort. A leader who seeks or steals the credit for success in team goals can’t win the heart of the team.
- Integrity has shown up time and time again as a most desired quality for a leader. Prior generations in the workplace were often willing to endure a “do as I say not as I do” type of leader. That mentality won’t cut it in today’s workplace. The team leader has to display authenticity to earn trust, and integrity sits at the core of authenticity. A team has to see an alignment of the leader’s words and actions. A core discipleship practice of the KBL model also emphasizes integrity as evidence of Jesus’ transforming power in the life of a believer.
- An abiding commitment to empowering others is another key characteristic. It is critical to the servant leadership model and is a practice consistently modeled by Jesus. The Bible shows us that Jesus invested three years into his circle of followers. He did this because he knew that they would someday be the leaders of his movement. In the same way a leader of teams needs to be thinking about the future work. Rather than be threatened by high-performing team members, a leader should be focused on developing their team members and positioning them for success. When team members feel the support of their leader, the overall team will be motivated to work toward the desired results.
Young professionals who embrace servant leadership principles and align them with Impact 360’s KNOW, BE, LIVE philosophy are going to find themselves well-positioned to lead with purpose and authenticity.