Imagine walking into your very first ISACA chapter event. You don’t know anyone. You’re nervous. You wonder if you belong. Then a smiling volunteer greets you, introduces you to others and makes sure you have a seat at the table. In that moment you’re no longer just an attendee—you feel like part of a community.
That welcoming moment is not an accident; it’s the hallmark of servant leadership. Servant leadership is a philosophy that prioritizes empowering and growing your team rather than using authority for personal gain. The term was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in his 1970 essay The Servant as Leader, where he wrote that the servant‑leader is “servant first” and that the desire to serve naturally precedes the desire to lead.
When applied to ISACA chapters, servant leadership isn’t about how much money is in your budget or how many sponsors you secure; it’s about the size of your heart. It is about creating spaces where every member, sponsor and volunteer feels seen, heard and uplifted. Here are the attributes that bring that vision to life.
Keep Members at Heart
Chapters are built on people, not logos or venues. Every event, decision and partnership should answer one question: Does this serve our members? Servant leaders measure success not by attendance numbers but by the sense of belonging created. When your primary goal is to empower and grow others, members thrive and the chapter flourishes—no matter its size.
Lead with Respect and Seek to Understand
Every board member and volunteer has a personal “why.” Servant leaders are curious about those stories. They listen deeply—“laser‑focused,” as the servant leadership traits list describes—and empathize with teammates’ perspectives. Instead of just assigning tasks, they align work with people’s passions. By valuing input and showing compassion, they build trust and resilience. Ask your colleagues what brought them to ISACA and watch how their personal purpose becomes collective impact.
Make Room for All
In ISACA there is no such thing as “too small” to matter. Whether you’re a student member just starting out or a CISO leading thousands—you belong. Servant leaders extend the circle so that everyone can see themselves in the community. During your next event, look for someone standing alone and invite them in. Multiply that welcome.
Engage with a Win–Win Mindset
True partnerships are never one‑sided. Whether working with sponsors or volunteers, think like a servant leader: how can we create mutual benefit? This “win–win” mindset reflects the servant‑leader trait of persuasion—building consensus rather than wielding authority. By investing in partners’ success, you build relationships that last.
Model Integrity and Operate Transparently
Integrity isn’t a slide in a deck; it’s how you show up in the small things. Servant leaders are transparent about finances, follow through on promises and do the right thing even when no one is watching. Transparency builds trust. When you explain why decisions are made and make meetings accessible, people step inside with confidence.
Steward the Chapter as a Trust
Our chapters don’t belong to us; they belong to our members—today and tomorrow. Stewardship means being faithful in little things so you’re ready to do more. Document processes, prepare successors and hand over the baton stronger than you found it. A true servant leader understands that leadership is borrowed, not owned.
Grow People, Not Just Programs
Events will fade and slides will be forgotten, but the leaders you grow will carry ISACA’s mission forward. One of the key traits of servant leadership is a commitment to growing people. Look for the quiet volunteer who needs encouragement. Offer mentorship. Create opportunities for others to lead projects and develop skills. The greatest multiplier you have is the people you uplift.
Collaborate and Celebrate
We are one ISACA. Chapters aren’t competitors; they are collaborators. Share speakers, co‑host events and exchange best practices. According to the servant leadership traits, building community and encouraging genuine connection is essential. Collaboration amplifies our voice and celebration fuels volunteer courage. A simple “thank you” can inspire someone to take the next step in leadership.
Conclusion: The Heartbeat of Leadership
Servant leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about being the voice that lifts others up. It begins with a genuine desire to serve and grows into a commitment to empower and develop those around you. Imagine if every ISACA chapter leader chose to lead this way. We wouldn’t just run chapters; we would transform lives.
As you prepare for your next board meeting, pause and ask yourself: How can I make this a moment of belonging for someone else? That is the power of servant leadership. It’s not about what we get; it’s about how we give. It starts with YOU.
