January 29, 2026
by Mitchell Watson
On a cold morning in Tallahassee, I found myself struggling to push through the halfway point of a grueling 3-mile Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test. My breath was heavy, and the will to continue was slipping away.
Through the thin fog, I spotted Staff Sergeant Champion, a mentor of sorts, standing next to a red pull-up bar with a stopwatch in hand. Since I’ve known him, he has consistently placed others’ goals above his own. His booming voice cut through the air as he shouted my name with excitement, running toward me with an almost contagious energy: “KEEP GOING! DON’T YOU STOP! ONE MORE LAP TO GO! YOU’RE AT 11 MINUTES AND 22 SECONDS!”
His enthusiasm ignited something within me. In that moment, the weight in my legs seemed to lift, replaced by a surge of adrenaline and determination. My stride lengthened, and I pushed forward with renewed vigor. When I crossed the finish line at 23 minutes and 7 seconds, minutes faster than my previous best, his pride in my accomplishment was evident.
That single interaction left a profound mark on me and shaped my understanding of leadership and the power of motivation. It was a vivid example of how servant leadership, rooted in genuine care and encouragement, can inspire others to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
The Desire to Serve Others
Servant leadership is a concept first coined by author and scholar Robert K. Greenleaf in his now-famous 1970 essay “The Servant as Leader.” His work was partially inspired by Hermann Hesse’s Journey to the East, a story of Leo, a humble servant.
In this story, Leo is a simple member of a traveling party who subtly supports the group from the background. The narrator describes Leo as pleasant, beloved, happy, and having a rapport with animals. Along the way, Leo disappears from the group. Years later, they reconnect, and to the narrator’s surprise, he discovers that Leo is more than a simple servant but has always been a man of extreme importance.
This tale serves as the foundation for Greenleaf’s philosophy. He argues that true leadership begins with a desire to serve others, no matter the position. He contrasts the “servant-first” leader with the “leader-first” individual, one who seeks power or material gain over others.
Staff Sergeant Champion’s actions on that cold morning perfectly align with Greenleaf’s philosophy of servant leadership. His focus was not on his own authority or position but on my success and growth. By running toward me with encouragement and enthusiasm, he fell back from his official position to demonstrate a genuine desire to serve and support me in achieving my goal. His actions were not about asserting power but empowering me to push beyond my perceived limits. This is the essence of servant leadership: putting the needs of others first and inspiring them to reach their full potential.
Putting Service into Action
From Greenleaf’s work, we can derive several actionable insights about servant leadership and its role in fostering motivation. Much like Leo, those in power are at their best when they lay it down for the needs of the team.
Servant leadership begins with a genuine desire to promote others, focusing on meeting individual needs, fostering their growth, and empowering them to succeed. These actions create a supportive and nurturing environment that motivates individuals, almost like a loving mother lifting up her children.
When asked by the narrator why artists look half-dead while their art looks fully alive, Leo replied: “It is the same with mothers. When they have borne children and given them their milk and beauty and strength, they themselves become invisible, and no one asks about them any more.” The narrator became depressed by this remark, but Leo corrected him: “Perhaps it is sad and yet also beautiful.” Serving others does mean we take a backseat, and that sacrifice is precisely what gives the act its beauty.
Staff Sergeant Champion invested in me and then stepped into the background. His actions highlight the ripple effect of servant leadership. Through encouragement, he not only motivated me to perform better in that moment but left a lasting impression on how I lead.
I have adopted a similar approach in my own leadership journey, focusing on serving others and helping them achieve their goals. This ripple effect is a hallmark of servant leadership, as it inspires those who are served to become servant-leaders themselves, creating a perpetual cycle of motivation and growth.
Servant leadership stands in stark contrast to other leadership styles, such as authoritarian or transactional leadership. An authoritarian leader might have focused solely on my previous performance, criticizing my earlier time and demanding improvement. A transactional leader might have offered external rewards for a faster time. Frankly, these strategies often work. There are many driven not by intrinsic motivation but either by freedom from punishment or by the desire for reward. But as the narrator of our story noticed, once Leo left the group along with his service, they shattered into disunity, finger-pointing, a loss of faith, and “it did seem as if the prosperity of the League… was completely gone.”
However, Staff Sergeant Champion’s servant-first approach motivated me intrinsically by showing genuine care and belief in my potential. This intrinsic motivation is far more powerful and enduring than external rewards or fear of criticism. Leo would support this narrative with his pleasant demeanor and encouragement of others.
Service is a Challenging Lifestyle
The principles of servant leadership can be applied in a variety of contexts, from workplaces to schools to communities. Just as Staff Sergeant Champion’s encouragement helped me push through a challenging moment, small acts of care and support can have a profound impact on individuals in any setting. For example, a teacher takes the time to mentor one struggling student, changing their educational mentality. A manager invests in the professional development of their motivated team member and inspires them to improve. These small acts are the first stone in the pond of creating ripple effects.
But beware, practicing servant leadership is not without its challenges. Balancing service with authority can be difficult, especially in environments where traditional leadership styles dominate. Additionally, servant-leaders may face resistance from those who are accustomed to hierarchical structures.
However, Staff Sergeant Champion’s approach demonstrates how these challenges can be overcome. He was in a position of authority, but by focusing on the needs of others and leading with empathy and encouragement, he was able to motivate me effectively without relying on coercion or authority.
Be Transformative
As I reflect on that morning in Tallahassee, I am reminded of the transformative power of servant leadership. It is a leadership style that prioritizes service, fosters trust, and inspires motivation through care and encouragement. The experience with Staff Sergeant Champion not only helped me achieve a personal milestone but also shaped my understanding of what it means to lead. It’s a vivid example of how servant leadership can act as a catalyst for motivation, inspiring individuals to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
In a world that often prioritizes power and results over people, servant leadership offers a refreshing and impactful alternative. By adopting the principles of servant leadership, we can create environments where individuals feel supported, valued, and driven to succeed. Whether in the military, the workplace, or the community, servant leadership has the potential to inspire meaningful change and foster a culture of growth and collaboration.
As Greenleaf suggests, the true test of leadership is whether those served grow as individuals and become more likely to serve others. In the narrator’s case, Leo taught him that serving others produces the highest organizational reward, no matter the rank. By embracing this philosophy, we can all become catalysts for motivation and positive change.
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Mitchell Watson is a proud husband to Rachel, best friend to his dog Cash, and an enthusiast of all things fitness and outdoors. When he’s not hiking trails or lifting weights, he’s working to support soldiers and their families through his role with Army Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation. Mitchell believes in the power of servant leadership and the ripple effect of positivity. Connect with him on LinkedIn to talk leadership, outdoor adventures, or share ideas on building stronger communities!
The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.
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