Synovus Servant Leadership Essay

Synovus Financial Corporation takes great pride in taking care of its employees. The company has always demonstrated a high level of integrity, and leadership works to ensure employees are a priority. As Hess and Cameron (2006) noted, multiple publications have consistently ranked Synovus as a top place to work (p. 14). Leadership has implemented a culture of doing the right thing, as well as serving the employees rather than employees serving them. The latter is known as servant leadership. Servant leadership has three primary characteristics; the leader’s top priority is serving others, focusing on employees and their growth, and demonstrating consistent treatment of all employees (Williams, Brandon, Hayek, Haden, & Atinc, 2017, p. 180). A servant leader serves more as a coach or mentor than a boss. Synovus emphasizes servant leadership through its Foundations of Leadership and Leadership Institute programs (Hess & Cameron, p. 24). In these programs, managers at all levels are reminded their employees are essential to the operations of the company. Additionally, all employees should
From its beginnings in 1888, leadership has implemented a culture of service – to the company’s employees, customers, and communities. A culture of respect has always been prevalent at Synovus. All employees are to be treated with appreciation, respect, and dignity (Hess & Cameron, 2006, p. 17). One of its original executives, W. C. Bradley, was known as a generous man, as he contributed to religious, educational and artistic foundations. Subsequent leaders have followed this same practice. Employees are encouraged to participate in their communities, and even allowed to volunteer during normal business hours. Employees want to be involved with a company that demonstrates strong organizational beliefs and values, as well as one that gives back to its communities (Plewnia & Guenther, 2017, p.