I had the pleasure of attending the "Tuesdays at PLC" series today at the Peace Learning Center. On this chilly pre-winter day sitting on the banks of Eagle Creek Reservoir with the blue birds, cardinals and other birds that I can't identify, provided a foggy, yet idyllic, setting to discuss important concepts that can affect change. How many business meetings are conducted with a deer looking in at you through the window?
The topic was Servant Leadership and moderated by Wayne Schmidt of Schmidt Assoc. You can learn more about him and his company at Schmidt-arch.com
Wayne has implemented the servant leadership philosophy in a business setting and achieved bottom line results. These notes are my takes on what Wayne shared with us today.
The key to implementing servant leadership - or any corporate culture - is to demonstrate it; not to talk about it. It must be talked about so everyone understands what the expectations are. But if it's not demonstrated by key management, it is only lip service.
Recognize that most employees are highly motivated and intelligent. If they aren't why did you hire them? Also treat employees as if they are volunteers, because realistically they can find another position very quickly. A term Wayne used when describing his hiring process is that he wants to create a "vocational lifestyle." Our careers are the activity at which we spend the most time. Why shouldn't it support our values and lifestyle?
The concept of servant leadership is fairly common in the non-profit or religious environments. Wayne shows that it has profitable application in the business world too.
Reading list:
* "Leadership is an Art" by Max De Pree
* "Mindset: the new Psychology of Success" by Carol Dweck
* "Servant Leadership" by Robert Greeleaf
Links:
www.schmidt-arch.com
www.peacelearningcenter.org
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