How to be a Servant Leader

In this episode of Evolving Your Workplace, host Carol Schultz sits down with Ed Wolff, CEO of Aerwave, to unpack the reality of servant leadership at the executive level — and why it is far heavier than most people assume.

Ed shares how leading with integrity, empathy, and accountability has shaped his career, and why stepping into the CEO role brought a new level of pressure. Responsible for nearly 70 employees, shareholders, lenders, and board members, he explains what it means to serve multiple constituencies while still driving performance and growth.

The conversation explores the difference between authentic leadership and performative leadership. Ed breaks down why self-awareness is non-negotiable, why people follow leaders (not companies), and what happens when high performers are promoted into management without the right support systems. He also explains why he refuses to “throw people into the lion’s den” without tools, coaching, and structured checkpoints.

Carol and Ed dive into the risks of bringing trusted team members with you to a new organization, the reality of startup probability and failure rates, and the hard truth that leadership cannot rely on blind loyalty. Servant leadership requires radical candor, resilience, and the ability to pace yourself under constant pressure.

Ed also reflects candidly on the personal cost of leadership — taking on too much, rarely saying no, and learning the importance of self-care and balance. He shares how Aerwave reduced its sales cycle from 360 days to 270 days through tighter qualification and objection handling, and why building culture remains his core focus as CEO.

The message is clear: servant leadership is not soft. It demands strength, accountability, and intentional investment in people.

Key topics covered:

1. What servant leadership truly means at the CEO level
2. Why self-awareness determines leadership longevity
3. The risk and responsibility of bringing former team members with you
4. Why promoting star performers without support often fails
5. Building capability instead of dependency in management teams
6. Serving shareholders, boards, employees, and lenders simultaneously
7. Reducing long enterprise sales cycles through better qualification
8. The importance of executive self-care and sustainable pacing
9. Investing intentionally in professional growth at every stage

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Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

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