--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The boss thinks his team exists to serve…" description: "\"The boss thinks his team exists to serve him. The leader thinks he exists to serve his team.\" — Alexander Den Heijer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/392/alexander-den-heijer-20637_attitude_the-boss-thinks-his-team-exists-to-serve_2908244.jpg" --- # The boss thinks his team exists to serve him. The leader… ![“The boss thinks his team exists to serve him. The leader thinks he exists to serve his team.” quote by Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/392/alexander-den-heijer-20637_attitude_the-boss-thinks-his-team-exists-to-serve_2908244.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/392/alexander-den-heijer-20637_attitude_the-boss-thinks-his-team-exists-to-serve_2908244.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/392/alexander-den-heijer-20637_attitude_the-boss-thinks-his-team-exists-to-serve_2908244.jpg) > “The boss thinks his team exists to serve him. The leader thinks he exists to serve his team.” [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leaders serve their team; bosses expect service. **In simple terms:** Leaders serve, bosses command. Key Takeaway Lead by serving. Themes leadership service hierarchy Mood inspirational practical Type business philosophical When to use this quote - business - non‑profits - team projects Key Concepts organizational behavior management theory Questions to Reflect On - How can you practice servant leadership? - What obstacles exist in service‑oriented leadership? A Different Perspective May idealize leadership. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Boss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boss/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Servant leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servant-leadership/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [Teamwork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teamwork/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [The boss thinks their team exists to serve them. The leader thinks they exist to serve their team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/the-boss-thinks-their-team-exists-to-serve-them-the-leader-thinks/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [At the end of the day, we need a leader who thinks with his head but leads with his heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gresham-barrett/at-the-end-of-the-day-we-need-a-leader-who-thinks-with-his-head-but/) [Gresham Barrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gresham-barrett/) > [It remains to be seen whether the more optimistic scenario for Sino-American relations can be realised. Much rests on the shoulders of the two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-jacques/it-remains-to-be-seen-whether-the-more-optimistic-scenario-for-sino/) [Martin Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-jacques/) > [“A military leader thinks about casualties and losses, but a strategic one only aims the win.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/a-military-leader-thinks-about-casualties-and-losses-but-a-strategic/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [“A smart leader thinks first and acts later.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gift-gugu-mona/a-smart-leader-thinks-first-and-acts-later/) [Gift Gugu Mona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gift-gugu-mona/) > [A leader is best when people barely know that he exists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/witter-bynner/a-leader-is-best-when-people-barely-know-that-he-exists/) [Witter Bynner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/witter-bynner/) > [An employee who feels appreciated will go the extra mile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/an-employee-who-feels-appreciated-will-go-the-extra-mile/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [The servant-leader is servant first... It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-k-greenleaf/the-servant-leader-is-servant-first-it-begins-with-the-natural/) [Robert K. Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-k-greenleaf/) > [It's fair to characterise me as competitive and determined, but anyone who works with me will attest to the fact I believe very strongly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-rosenfeld/it-s-fair-to-characterise-me-as-competitive-and-determined-but-anyone/) [Irene Rosenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-rosenfeld/) > [“It's up to you, not about you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-withrow/it-s-up-to-you-not-about-you/) [Sonya Withrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-withrow/) > [“Let your light shine as an inspiration to humanity and BE THE REASON someone believes in the goodness of people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/let-your-light-shine-as-an-inspiration-to-humanity-and-be-the-reason/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [If you're truly obsessed over customers, it'll cover a lot of errors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-bezos/if-you-re-truly-obsessed-over-customers-it-ll-cover-a-lot-of-errors/) [Jeff Bezos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-bezos/) > [Servant leadership teaches us that you have to lay your cards on the table.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-g-bennis/servant-leadership-teaches-us-that-you-have-to-lay-your-cards-on-the/) [Warren G. Bennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-g-bennis/) > [“Every discipline is a dream, every dream is service.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/every-discipline-is-a-dream-every-dream-is-service/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Servant Leadership is an oxymoron. All true Leadership is servanthood.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-stocker/servant-leadership-is-an-oxymoron-all-true-leadership-is-servanthood/) [Todd Stocker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-stocker/) ## More by Alexander Den Heijer > [If you want to be average, do what others do. If you want to be awesome, do what no one does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/if-you-want-to-be-average-do-what-others-do-if-you-want-to-be-awesome/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [When I talk to managers I get the feeling that they are important. when I talk to leaders I get the feeling that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/when-i-talk-to-managers-i-get-the-feeling-that-they-are-important/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [A clever person solves a problem no one can solve. A genius solves a problem no one can see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/a-clever-person-solves-a-problem-no-one-can-solve-a-genius-solves-a/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [Stars don't shine because they want to be seen, they shine because they are stars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/stars-don-t-shine-because-they-want-to-be-seen-they-shine-because/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [An employee who feels appreciated will go the extra mile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/an-employee-who-feels-appreciated-will-go-the-extra-mile/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [Bad leaders believe their team works for them. Great leaders believe they work for their team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/bad-leaders-believe-their-team-works-for-them-great-leaders-believe/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [To have a purpose in life is the greatest source of energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/to-have-a-purpose-in-life-is-the-greatest-source-of-energy/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [Don't spend your entire life building a ship, without ever tasting the freedom of the sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/don-t-spend-your-entire-life-building-a-ship-without-ever-tasting-the/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [The ride of life is not just meant to be enjoyed, but to be enhanced. Not for ourselves, but for those we share the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/the-ride-of-life-is-not-just-meant-to-be-enjoyed-but-to-be-enhanced/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [The world's most innovative companies are not corporations driven by profit, but movements driven by a cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/the-world-s-most-innovative-companies-are-not-corporations-driven-by/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [You inspire people, not by showing them how amazing you are, but by showing them how amazing they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/you-inspire-people-not-by-showing-them-how-amazing-you-are-but-by/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [Managers make you feel they are important. Leaders make you feel you are important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/managers-make-you-feel-they-are-important-leaders-make-you-feel-you/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [The moment we find our purpose is the moment we unlock our greatest source of energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/the-moment-we-find-our-purpose-is-the-moment-we-unlock-our-greatest/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [When a flower doesn't bloom you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/when-a-flower-doesn-t-bloom-you-fix-the-environment-in-which-it-grows/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [The fear of making a mistake might be more damaging than the mistake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/the-fear-of-making-a-mistake-might-be-more-damaging-than-the-mistake/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) [Explore all 30 Alexander Den Heijer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The boss thinks his team exists to serve him. The leader thinks he exists to serve his team.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alexander Den Heijer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/the-boss-thinks-his-team-exists-to-serve-him-the-leader-thinks-he/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/the-boss-thinks-his-team-exists-to-serve-him-the-leader-thinks-he/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/392/alexander-den-heijer-20637_attitude_the-boss-thinks-his-team-exists-to-serve_2908244.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/392/alexander-den-heijer-20637_attitude_the-boss-thinks-his-team-exists-to-serve_2908244.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/392/alexander-den-heijer-20637_attitude_the-boss-thinks-his-team-exists-to-serve_2908244.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The boss thinks his team exists to serve him. The leader thinks he exists to serve his team.” — Alexander Den Heijer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alexander Den Heijer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The boss thinks his team exists...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/the-boss-thinks-his-team-exists-to-serve-him-the-leader-thinks-he/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/the-boss-thinks-his-team-exists-to-serve-him-the-leader-thinks-he/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```