Yesterday was the memorial service for a great mentor during my time at PepsiCo – Jeff Van Der Eems.  Jeff left this world way before his time but, as individual after individual came up to share their tributes at the altar, it was clear that his legacy will live on in so many of us for years to come.

Jeff was so many things – a brilliant strategist, a razor-sharp CFO, advisor, chairman, NED, global citizen, record-breaking athlete, generous friend and loving family man.  His determination was unbending and he was known for having an iron fist in a velvet glove. He inspired and he challenged us in equal measure.

Given such an introduction, it may surprise you to learn that the words that most commonly passed Jeff’s lips were “How can I help?”

Jeff embodied “servant leadership” – a phrase first coined by Robert K Greenleaf in his 1970 essay “The Servant As Leader”. A servant leader focuses on the needs of others first. They listen to and acknowledge other people’s perspectives, give them the support they need to meet their work and personal goals, involve them in decisions where appropriate, and build a sense of community within their team. This approach may sound gentle but its impact is powerful. Greenleaf showed how servant leadership led to:

• Higher engagement
• Greater trust
• Stronger relationships with team members and other stakeholders.
• Increased innovation.

Pepsico UK was a case in point. During Jeff’s tenure as CFO and Martin Glenn as CEO, the business enjoyed unparalleled growth, through strategy, innovation and teamwork, to make Walkers Crisps the UK supermarket’s biggest brand. We dreamed big, pulled together as a team and grew as an organisation and as individuals.

As coaches, much of our training revolves around powerful questions. Whether you are a coach or a business leader, “How Can I Help?” may just be the most powerful question of all.