When I hear myself say about another person, “What is wrong with them?” or “Why can’t they stop being so judgmental?” or any number of complaints about fellow human beings, I stop to think about my tapir dialog. Do I know that person for who he is, not some made-up image of who I assume he is? Am I assuming he’s an anteater or pig, when he’s really a magnificent tapir? Am I reducing a person who has hopes, dreams and problems just like me to an object I can justify criticizing?
Read MoreSo you’re a servant leader, huh? You’re going to come in and change your organization by “serving”, aren’t you? You’re just going to give us stuff and pat us on the head and we’re going to produce high results and high profits, is that what you think?
Read MoreOrganizations are trying to widen their cultures to capture the attention of the millennial workforce, seeking to provide them with the most sought after flexible work environment. Could remote work be the key to the ideal work-life balance? It’s intended to produce happy and effective hard-working employees, affording them the opportunity to spend less time commuting and more time engaging in their personal hobbies.
Read MoreIn the world today, it seems like behavior involves the extreme in many ways. We drive faster, eat and drink to excess, and climb Mount Everest — to name just a few examples. Things seemingly need to be done in epic proportions to make any kind of impact.
Read MoreThere’s nothing worse than manipulative leaders — people who will use whatever’s around them to further their own goals, dreams and aspirations. More and more, managers are finding smart ways to get other people to do what they want them to do — sometimes in ways that make them believe it was their idea!
Read MoreDoes the mission and purpose of your company extend beyond your business and into the greater community? Servant leadership pioneer Robert Greenleaf said the measure of servant leadership was whether people were changed for the better after coming in contact with you.
Read MorePerhaps one of the more underrated attributes of servant leaders is their ability to demonstrate courage. The perception of servant leaders as “nice guys” overshadows the courageous conversations and decisions servant leaders make daily. It is impossible to practice servant leadership without also having the courage to do the right thing despite opposition
Read MoreUnderstanding the way your boss thinks and responding as a servant leader or follower can improve your workplace experience. In part one of this blog we looked at five “secrets” about controlling leaders. Here in part two are some suggestions for responding to your controlling leader as a serving follower.
Read MoreUnderstanding the way your boss thinks and responding as a servant leader, or in this case servant follower, can improve your workplace experience. In part one of this blog; I will share five “secrets” of a controlling leader. Part two will contain some suggestions for responding to a controlling leader as a servant follower.
Read MoreConferences are interesting experiences, aren’t they? They provide you with a multitude of new ideas, introduce you to new people and provide a break in your routine. But there is one big problem with attending a conference — you have to return to work!
Read MoreYesterday was our holiday party at Servant Leadership Institute. It was a wonderful time of enjoying holiday music, hearing people’s plans for the holidays, exchanging Secret Santa gifts and of course eating! Naturally, it got me thinking about dear old Santa Claus. Certainly Santa is a leader, influencing reindeer and all those elves. But is he a servant leader? Let’s examine the man as legend and you can decide.
Read MoreRecently, I have traveled through some life circumstances that have been difficult for my entire family. It has caused me to reflect quite a bit, and one of the qualities I have thought about is hope. What a beautiful word “hope” is. Even the way we say it sounds good.
Read MoreMy first experience with listening to understand actually came from reading, as ironic as that may sound. However, I’ve discovered through the years that books are rather good practice for learning how to interact with others.
Read MoreThe solution for this group was to form a Community of Practice. It is designed so you can have a servant leadership training program that is self-sufficient. It begins with a cohort of leaders, who after receiving some initial servant leadership training from the Servant Leadership Institute; commit themselves to learn about and practice servant leadership behaviors.
Read MoreA call center, at peak times, had an average customer wait time of 8 minutes 15 seconds and a call abandonment rate of 48%. The call center manager repeatedly requested additional staff. The CEO felt the manager was doing a poor job, so the staff was not well trained or motivated. A consultant was hired to “document that the department is mismanaged and the manager is lazy.”
Read MoreEvery once in a while, I am struck by what a great place I work at. As I walked down the hall recently, I saw a sales VP walking with an accounting person, asking him questions about something the accounting person needed and promising it would be provided by “Monday or sooner if he needed it.”
Read MoreHave you got game? The women who attended this year’s Women’s Leadership Day certainly do. Women’s Leadership Day is part of the activities surrounding the LPGA Kia Classic held at the Aviara Golf Club and Resort in Carlsbad, Calif.
Read MoreI learned something at a Greenleaf Conference ten years ago that made an impression on me. The conference was held at a big hotel. Out in front there was a bellman who was especially good at welcoming hotel guests as they arrived at the entrance. He had a great smile, greeted everyone cheerfully, and helped guests with their luggage. He answered questions, provided information, and gave directions to the hotel check-in. He made the guest experience very pleasant.
Read MoreSome people believe servant leadership is about being nice. However, if you seek to influence or lead others, regardless of your place in the organizational chart, you know leadership is often far from pleasant.
Read MoreIn part I, we introduced three questions followers should answer about their leaders: Do you care about me? Do I trust you? Can you help me? “Yes” answers mean the leader has compassion, character and competence — three keys to succeeding with servant leadership. Now, here are some tips to help get those “yesses.”
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