What principle is at the heart of Lean-Agile leadership in SAFe?

The principle at the heart of Lean-Agile leadership in SAFe is centered around servant leadership across the organization. This concept emphasizes that leaders should focus on serving their teams by supporting them in achieving their goals, fostering an environment of trust, collaboration, and empowerment.

Servant leadership enables leaders to facilitate team autonomy, encouraging self-organizing teams to make decisions, innovate, and take ownership of their work. This leadership style aligns with the Lean-Agile mindset, which promotes continuous improvement, respect for people, and a value-driven approach to delivering quality products.

In contrast, command-and-control management, direct supervision of teams, and rewarding individual performance over team performance emphasize a hierarchical and controlling approach that stifles initiative and collaboration. These alternatives go against the foundational principles of Lean-Agile practices, which thrive on collective success, adaptability, and team engagement in decision-making. The focus on servant leadership represents a critical shift from traditional management styles toward one that nurtures a culture of teamwork and collective accountability.