Episode 177: Leo Bottary - Servant Leadership

This is episode #177 of EGN Leadership Conversations: The Untold Secrets of the C-Suite hosted by Nick Jonsson, and we are pleased to welcome Leo Bottary, Founder and Managing Partner of Peernovation LLC. In this insightful episode, Leo shares his deep expertise on one of the most influential yet often misunderstood leadership philosophies: Servant Leadership.

Leo begins by explaining the core principle of Servant Leadership—prioritizing the growth, well-being, and success of others before oneself. Rather than leading through authority, Servant Leaders focus on elevating their teams, empowering individuals, and cultivating an environment where trust and collaboration thrive. Leo illustrates how this approach shifts the traditional leadership mindset, helping organizations build stronger cultures and more engaged, resilient teams.

Throughout the conversation, Leo highlights why Servant Leadership is especially relevant in today’s workplace. With employees craving purpose, psychological safety, and meaningful connection, leaders who intentionally serve their teams become catalysts for innovation and long-term performance. Leo explains how putting the needs of others first does not weaken leadership—it strengthens it by fostering loyalty, alignment, and shared ownership. When people feel seen, valued, and supported, they are far more motivated to contribute at their highest potential.

The episode dives into practical applications of Servant Leadership as well. Leo shares actionable strategies leaders can use to embed this philosophy into their daily practices: active listening, creating space for honest dialogue, encouraging autonomy, and modeling behaviors that uphold trust and integrity. He also discusses how Servant Leadership fuels mutual growth—not just for the individual leader but for every person within the organization.

Leo and Nick explore how this leadership style transforms teams into communities built on purpose and collaboration. By elevating others, leaders foster environments where innovation flourishes, relationships strengthen, and performance naturally follows. Servant Leadership, as Leo emphasizes, is not a tactic—it is a lifelong commitment to leading with humility, empathy, and service.

Tune in to this inspiring conversation to learn how adopting the mindset of a Servant Leader can enrich your leadership journey and positively impact those around you.

Contact Leo Bottary to collaborate with him:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leobottary/

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