BUSINESS COACHING LESSON
It’s Not About You. Really.
Ask yourself at the end of each day:
“What did I do specially today to be ‘of service’ to members of my group? Was I truly a ‘servant’ to them?”
This all-powerful idea derives from Robert Greenleaf’s extraordinary book, Servant Leadership.
Here are two exam questions that Greenleaf urges leaders to ask concerning the people on their team:
- Do those served grow as persons?
- Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants?
Message (unequivocal):
- Leaders exist to serve their people. Period.
- A team well served by its leader will be influenced to pursue excellence.
Use the word “Serve.” (That is what you do.)
Use the word “Service.” (That’s what you provide.)
Use the word “Servant.” (That’s what you are.)
So What? – As a leader, it’s not about you. Really. A leaders mission is to SERVE others and NOT to be served. A leaders role is to make a difference in the lives of those they serve by helping them to discover their personal best that lies within them to be better and do better. Your goal as a leader is to serve others, build powerful leaders, powerful teams and powerful results. Don’t forget it.
See “The Little BIG Things” by Tom Peters for other smart ways to pursue excellence in Leadership