In contemporary times, leaders who put their teams first are increasingly recognized as the most effective. The concept of "leaders eat last" isn't just a metaphor, it is a powerful leadership philosophy that has transformed organizations worldwide. Great leaders are selfless and do not have any trace of selfishness.

They put their team members at the center of their decisions. Their actions are not for their own purposes alone. They are interested in having a legacy much more than immediate gains. When leaders eat last, it is a sign of servant leadership. Even in organized military traditions, the officer eats last to set a precedence that their marines come first. Among other reasons, it is to demonstrate to the team how important they are.

The tradition of “leaders eat last” originated in the United States Marine Corps. It is a long-practiced tradition where officers eat after their subordinates. The idea is rooted in the Marine Corps’ culture and values which emphasize leadership by example, selflessness, and putting the needs of others before one’s own. Former Marine and leadership expert Simon Sinek popularized this concept in his book "Leaders Eat Last," noting that this simple act creates profound trust. When Captain Sully Sullenberger, himself a former military pilot, landed a damaged plane on the Hudson River in 2009, he was the last to leave the aircraft. He ensured all 155 passengers evacuated safely before him. This wasn't just protocol; it was an embodiment of leadership that prioritizes others' safety above personal welfare.

When Satya Nadella took over as CEO of Microsoft in 2014, the company was struggling with internal competition and declining innovation. Toxicity was felt all over the organization. Internal bickering was the order of the day. Nadella transformed the culture by embracing servant leadership. During company-wide layoffs, he personally took a reduced bonus and redirected resources to support affected employees with extended benefits and transition assistance. Under his leadership, Microsoft shifted from a "know-it-all" to a "learn-it-all" culture, putting employee growth at the center.

Satya prioritized the needs of employees, customers and partners ahead of his bonuses. This led to increased employee motivation and engagement, better customer relationships and improved financial performance. Microsoft's market value tripled, and there was increased innovation leading to the development of new products such as Azure, Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Teams.

Another example of a servant leader was the former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who demonstrated “leaders eat last” during the COVID-19 pandemic. When economic hardship loomed, she and other government ministers and public service chief executives took a 20% pay cut for six months.

This symbolic act showed solidarity with citizens facing financial struggles and reinforced her government's commitment to collective wellbeing over individual privilege. She also showed remarkable empathy during the Christ church terrorist attack, a sign of genuine concern for the wellbeing and safety of her citizens. Every leader should have the welfare of his team members as his priority. This trait of leadership is also to test the character of the leaders. When a leader does not take care of his team members, it poses internal threats to him as this will lead to a breakdown of trust.

Authentic leadership is indeed a character test. When Hamdi Ulukaya, founder of Chobani, offered his employees 10% of his company's shares in 2016, it wasn't just generosity, it was recognition that his success depended on their contribution. "This company was built on the collective work of everyone," he explained.

This action demonstrated character that strengthened the company against external challenges, helping Chobani weather intense industry competition. He gave parental leave policies and empowered his employees to take ownership of their work. This led to Chobani experiencing rapid growth thereby becoming one of the leading yoghurt brands in the US. This leadership style created a positive impact on the employees, and the community.

Costco co-founder James Sinegal maintained a salary of just $350,000 when many retail CEOs earned millions. He prioritized employee wages and benefits, ensuring Costco workers received healthcare and wages significantly above industry averages. When faced with economic downturns, Sinegal resisted pressure from Wall Street to cut employee benefits, famously saying, "Good wages and benefits are why Costco has extremely low rates of turnover and theft by employees." The result was remarkable employee loyalty. Costco's turnover rate remains among the lowest in retail. This low turnover rate has saved millions of dollars in training costs while maintaining exceptional customer service.

The principle of "leaders eat last" helps to build resilient organizations. From military traditions to corporate boardrooms, leaders who practice selfless service create environments where people thrive, innovation flourishes, and organizations stand strong against external threats. The evidence is clear: when leaders serve their teams first, everyone ultimately wins.

Oluwole Dada is the General Manager at SecureID Limited, Africa’s largest smart card manufacturing plant in Lagos, Nigeria.