SERVANT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Creating Servant Leaders who will Transform Organizations

What is Servant Leadership?
Servant leadership is a smart leadership approach with a moral imperative to lead for the sake of others. Great leaders model behaviors that equip and inspire others toward individual and community greatness. They do not see their employees as tools, but as humans with dignity that they can empower to make a difference. Servant leadership is designed to increase the self-determination, self-confidence, and self-sacrifice of everyone.
The modern servant leadership movement was launched in corporate America by AT & T executive Robert Greenleaf in 1968. Greenleaf said that servant leadership begins with “the natural feeling that one wants to serve.” Since that time, this method of combined leadership and stewardship that maximizes profits, people, and the planet has transformed corporate cultures around the world. Among the well-known organizations that have successfully implemented servant leadership are: Southwest Airlines, TD Industries, WD-40, Men’s Wearhouse, Nordstrom, Toro Company, Zappos, Starbucks, and Datron World Communications, Inc. to name a few.
Servant Leadership Institute (SLI) is a training resource center located in Carlsbad, CA created by Datron CEO Art Barter to serve and help grow leaders determined to make a positive difference in their organizations and communities. SLI has expanded its successful Datron servant leadership transformation case study into serving other organizations and businesses throughout the country interested in improving their culture as well. SLI resources include:
There is a crisis in leadership today. Harvard Business Review recently stated that self-serving leadership has eroded our confidence in institutions around the world. News reports have revealed scandals at Penn State University, and insider stock information benefiting certain members of Congress; trust in our leaders continues to be on a steady decline. It’s no surprise that business leaders are searching for a better way to lead.
“Servant leadership has been called the most successful leadership strategy in overcoming lackluster employee performances, poor financial results, and executive self-interests,” said Art Barter, Founder and CEO of SLI. “Our goal is to challenge traditional perceptions of leadership and to teach a smarter way to lead that truly makes a difference in our world.”
Servant Leadership Institute’s Seven Practices of a Servant Leader1. Servant Leaders seek lasting change instead of system relief.
2. Servant Leaders create intimate relationships instead of dependent relationships.
3. Servant Leaders persevere with a non-anxious presence knowing that direct reaction, deliberate resistance and destructive rumors are evidences of one’s effectiveness.
4. Servant Leaders inspire personal responsibility instead of encouraging perceived victims.
5. Servant Leaders invest in motivated people instead of adapting to troubled people.
6. Servant Leaders see troubles as the heart of preexisting anxiety instead of seeing troubles as the origin of anxiety.
7. Servant Leaders live to the applause of one as opposed to the applause of many.
Art Barter From compassionate leader to caring friend, Art has also been committed to the principles of excellence related to the workplace. In 2004, Art’s world changed dramatically. As vice president of finance within Datron, Art was given an opportunity to purchase the company. With little money and a big vision, a miracle happened through several circumstances that allowed Art and Lori Barter to become owners of a $10 million communications company.
Art will tell you the transformation took place because of his commitment to turn this organization from a traditional model of leadership to a servant leadership model. Art, as chief executive officer, also sees himself in the important role of cultural architect within Datron. The recent book, The Art of Servant Leadership, explains his story of success. Art is committed to sharing his Datron story to as many corporate leaders as possible so that they too can move from “good to great to even a greater impact” for the sake of others.
Art Barter holds two bachelor’s degrees in business and finance. Prior to joining Datron in 1999, Art spent eight years working with the Disney Corporation and over 25 years in manufacturing companies. In 2004, Art purchased Datron from The Titan Corporation and began serving in his current position as Datron’s CEO.
Robin Swift Robin Swift serves as Director of Client Relations for Servant Leadership Institute. In this role, Robin manages the day to day operations at SLI, develops and manages new marketing initiatives to effectively teach Servant Leadership to corporations, non-profit organizations and individuals, and develops new client relationships.
Robin was a radio talk show host for a popular San Francisco Radio Station, writer for NBC radio, the Associated Press and the Sacrament Bee Newspaper, and served as Director of Client Services for Pacifico Integrated Marketing Communications in the Bay Area for 11 years. Robin holds a B.A. in Communications from California State University, Chico and is an avid golfer.
She strongly believes in Servant Leadership as a smart strategic leadership management approach and is thrilled to be working for SLI.
Danielle Aguas Danielle Aguas is the Marketing Specialist at Servant Leadership Institute at Datron World Communications, Inc. In her role, Danielle plans and oversees all events along with helping develop and implement new marketing strategies, social media strategies and multimedia communication materials. She helps manage the company website, e-newsletters, video and media relations, advertising communications projects and coordinates all trade-show activities.
Prior to joining Datron’s Servant Leadership Institute in July 2010, Danielle worked four years in the hospitality industry at Charlie Chaplin’s historic luxury boutique hotel, a member of the Patient Outreach Team at San Francisco General Hospital, Bid Coordinator for Ground Service Technology and Head Tour Guide for her Alma Mater, Westmont College.
Danielle holds a B.A. in Communications Studies with a Business Minor from Westmont College, Santa Barbara and enjoys mentoring and encouraging local youth.
Contact Servant Leadership InstituteFor more information about the SLI Speakers Bureau, Training Services, Publications, Workshops and Events,
please contact:
Robin Swift, SLI Director of Client Relations
Office: 760-597-3779 │email: rswift@dtwc.com