Marcel Schwantes Reveals the Power of Servant Leadership in Transforming Teams and Culture

Episode recap:
Sam Caster, a previous guest on episode 237, graciously offers to interview show host Marcel Schhwantes about his journey to becoming a go-to authority on Servant Leadership, highlighting the twists and turns, trials and tribulations of his professional path that led him to where he is today.

Guest Bio:
Marcel Schwantes helps organizations create high-performing cultures where employees thrive and businesses grow. He is an international speaker, executive coach, and author who has been recognized by Inspiring Workplaces as a Top 101 Global Employee Engagement Influencer. His thought leadership reaches millions monthly through outlets like Inc., Time, Fast Company, and Forbes. For the past seven years, Marcel has hosted the Love in Action podcast, which is now heard in 160 countries. He is the author of the soon-to-be-released book Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss.

Marcel Schwantes revisiting a conversation with entrepreneur Sam Caster, founder of ALOVÉA, who shares his journey of building a successful company and the challenges of maintaining its culture after going public. As the company grew, the culture Sam cultivated began to erode due to silos, financial pressures, and a loss of connection—a common issue for leaders when rapid growth threatens core values.

Key Quotes:

• "It doesn't start with serving shareholders first. It starts with implementing a vision, carrying it out, and differentiating yourself from competitors."
• "Culture won't happen at the flip of a switch. It takes time and starts with leaders championing the call for that culture."

Takeaways:

1. Prioritize Values: Embed organizational values into daily operations, decision-making, and hiring. Consistently demonstrate how these values are lived out.
2. Align Leadership: Ensure your leadership team is committed to a people-first, servant leadership approach. Address resistance proactively to avoid undermining cultural transformation.
3. Expand Diversity: Go beyond race, gender, and ethnicity to build a workforce with diverse ages, backgrounds, and perspectives to drive innovation.

Conclusion:
Organizations that embrace servant leadership principles can achieve lasting success, even in tough times. By prioritizing the well-being and growth of their people over short-term profits, they build resilient, trust-based teams with a shared sense of purpose. True leadership lies in uplifting others and creating a foundation for individual and collective success. Marcel Schwantes emphasizes that servant leadership, though challenging, is a transformative approach that fosters loyalty, innovation, and long-term impact.

Links/Resources:

Join the “From Boss to Leader” workshop here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/frombosstoleader/

Website: www.marcelschwantes.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/

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