Learn all about the Servant Personality Type including a definition, characteristics, examples and how it relates to archetype personality types.
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What is the Servant Personality? (Short Answer)
The Servant personality is a type of personality that is characterized by selflessness, compassion, and a dedication to service.
People with this personality type are often drawn to helping professions such as teaching, nursing, and social work.
They derive satisfaction from making a difference in the lives of others and feel happiest when they are able to help others in need.
While people with the servant personality are typically altruistic and compassionate, they can also be overly gullible and naive.
They may have difficulty saying no to others or setting boundaries in order to avoid conflict.
As a result, they can sometimes find themselves in unhealthy or abusive relationships.
It is important for those with the servant personality to learn how to take care of themselves first and foremost.
Servant Personality Explained (Long Answer)
In some way or another, we are all in service to someone or something.
Anyone may identify with this personality since the spiritual path is fundamentally one of service to others.
To be a Servant is to make oneself accessible to others so that they may benefit and be better off because of it.
The Servant must be able to concurrently serve both others and himself if he is to do this role successfully.
Without the ability to care for one’s own well-being, the Servant becomes consumed by the needs of those around him or her, losing sight of the importance of one’s own life.
When looked at from a purely materialistic standpoint, the Servant is related with money since servants are employed as hired assistance.
The Indentured Servant’s mindset reflects this element.
It is a person who believes that he is obligated to serve under conditions that are not in his or her best interests because he or she is unable to “buy his or her freedom,” or symbolically come into one’s own power.
This personality makes it difficult to make decisions that are in line with your deepest aspirations.
Consider this personality as a possibility for your own chart if this represents a significant personal problem for you.
Different Types of Servant Personalities
There are many different types of Servant personalities. Here are a few of the most common types:
Indentured Servant
The Indentured Servant is characterized by a high need for approval and low self-esteem.
People with this personality type are often very agreeable and submissive, and they feel a strong need to please others.
They are also very insecure, which leads them to seek validation from others.
These qualities make people with this personality type very easy to manipulate and control.
They are often taken advantage of by others, especially in relationships.
They may also be susceptible to cults or other manipulative groups.
People with this personality type should learn how to set boundaries and stand up for themselves.
They should also work on building up their self-confidence so they can find validation within themselves rather than from others
Servant Personality Characteristics & Traits
Read on to learn more about the key Servant personality characteristics:
1. Servants are always very reliable and can be counted on to get the job done
Servant is a reliable and dependable person who is always willing to lend a helping hand when needed, is always on time for appointments, and can be counted on to get the job done.
Someone with these qualities is usually highly valued by their peers and superiors, as they are seen as a valuable asset in any workplace or team environment.
And anyone who possesses these traits can undoubtedly count themselves as lucky – because being reliable and dependable is essential for success both professionally and personally.
They may not be the life of the party, but they’ll get the work done without any drama or fuss.
2. Servant often neglects their own needs
It’s common for a Servant to put other people’s needs before their own.
Unlike the Victim or Martyr personalities, this one symbolizes someone who performs a good job yet is undervalued and unappreciated.
A servant is someone who doesn’t think they deserve any recognition or appreciation for the work they do.
They are content with whatever bone tossed their way; healthy relationships acknowledge the contributions of each other and all parties concerned.
3. They perform others wishes without acknowledgment or gratitude
Most of the time, a servant goes about his or her duties without being noticed. They are often overlooked as if they do not exist.
They are quietly working in the background, waiting for their chance to meet the needs of others.
4. They need approval and acknowledgement from others
They lack the self-confidence to progress to greater degrees of success and empowerment.
Because they do not believe that they deserve anything better, they are incapable of empowering themselves and are therefore reliant on others to provide them with what they are unable to provide for themselves.
For the sake of gaining praise and recognition from others, this archetype sacrifices his or her own strength and emotional needs.
Examples of the Servant Personality
Here are some examples of the Servant Personality in popular culture and literature:
Films
- William Powell in My Man Godfrey
- Anthony Hopkins in Remains of the Day
- Morgan Freeman in Driving Miss Daisy
- Dirk Bogarde in The Servant (shadow)
Fiction
- The Turn of the Screw (Mrs. Grose ) by Henry James
Religion/Myth
The names of many spiritual masters and teachers often contain a reference to service.
The Sanskrit word dasya, for example, means “servant,” and appears in the names of modern mystics such as:
- Ram Dass, Bhagavan Das, and Lama Surya Das
- Obadiah – Hebrew prophet whose name means “servant of God”
- Ganymede – in Greek myth, the young, beautiful boy who was one of Zeus’ lovers and cupbearer to the gods
- Thialfi – Norse servant of Thor and the messenger of the gods
