Colleen Boulware

Servant Leadership

I strive to be a good leader while acknowledging that we’re all works in progress, and part of being effective is in recognizing there’s always room for improvement. Personally, I’m always open to feedback. But to me, that’s what servant leadership is: very quickly realizing that you can’t do anything by yourself, that you’re only as strong as your team, and that passionately supporting them is a win for everyone.
In my experience, people are much more energized to achieve shared goals when they feel valued and appreciated. That’s why servant leadership resonates with me. Focusing on my team and helping them see all the potential they have is one of my top priorities. Highlighting individual strengths comes naturally to me and is something I enjoy doing. It lets me encourage the talents, skills, and good qualities a person has that they might not see in themselves.
From that perspective, I’m an enthusiastic supporter. I take time to pass on heartfelt compliments and celebrate wins because I want my team members to know someone is always in their corner, cheering them on.

Strength in Curiosity

I’m curious by nature and I truly enjoy people and hearing their stories, which has been a great business strength for me. From a client perspective, curiosity naturally leads to active listening. I really get to know my customers, learn their priorities and goals, and focus on how their needs can direct my action.
This approach also informs how I interact with my team. I strive to talk openly about strengths and challenge areas, which allows me to prioritize what will help them most.

Advice for Young Leaders

One thing I’ve always done is set goals for myself, and I encourage young leaders to do the same. Goal setting is not a new concept, but it’s a valuable one that has helped me immensely throughout my career and personal life. Meeting goals often means putting yourself in uncomfortable situations, like presenting in front of a group or taking on additional responsibilities that stretch you.
I’ve also made a habit of turning to mentors that encourage, challenge, and help me grow. I encourage young leaders to seek out mentorship. Find people you truly admire and take the time to get to know them. Ask for their advice, then put it to work. Show your appreciation by following up and sharing the outcome. That may seem like a small thing, but it almost always means they’ll be willing to invest even more in helping you grow.