Those of you who have read my previous articles on aspects of leadership will recognise some of the words which follow. Viewing the complex world of leadership from a different angle, I would argue that a leader is there to serve his or her people – the team, rather than the team serving the leader. After all, a leader is part of that team, engaged in the creation of momentum and ultimate success. It is not about the cult of ego but about operating together, sharing success and failure. In essence, a leader is in place to serve the team, and support its people. As a leader, you are there to provide for the needs of your people, equipping them properly to do the jobs required of them. Leading is not simply about directing. It is about providing for all the needs complex human beings have and moulding them to be successful in their appointed roles.

Harking back to my time in the British Army, there was a commonly held view in society that Army commanders simply had to direct and soldiers would jump to do their bidding. Nothing could have been further from the truth. That might have been the case in the pre-20th Century Army when fear of punishment held sway but when the Army became increasingly professional during and after the Second World War, so leaders had to become more understanding of those being led and the part they had to play, then manage the complexities of the individuals making up the team.

Providing for basic human needs to ensure that people were comfortable in their environment and comfortable with their abilities was an act of service. As a leader it is your task to do just that – to serve the people you lead. Unless you do so, the respect you require to enable you to have their trust, and the respect they deserve from you, will not be forthcoming. Serving those in your team is a much misunderstood but essential. characteristic of leadership.

Without committed, motivated and enthusiastic people, organisations at best will stagnate and make little progress, and at worst will become moribund and fail. In the complex  commercial world, businesses should be forward-looking and innovative in order to maintain momentum. They need well-led people to do that – people who are served by their leaders.

Above all, as a leader you should – no must – remember one thing above all else: any decision you take will have an impact on the people you lead. On the military battlefield the wrong decision can result in the death of some of your soldiers. Whilst not as radical as that in business, the wrong decision can have a life-changing effect on someone’s career, salary or target-related bonus. So think about what you are going to do, assess the risks, then act accordingly. With a little thought and with all factors considered, you invariably will do the right thing.

You will be committing that act of service for those you have the privilege to lead. It is a privilege to lead – not a right. Respect those you lead, serve them and the result will be priceless.