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April,
2009
Lane
and Larry's Excellent Meeting
Welcome
to the April edition of the Servant-Leadership Solutions
Newsletter. I am sending this out a little late this month,
but for a reason: I finally got to meet Larry Spears face
to face! For those who don't know, Larry is the world's
foremost authority on servant-leadership. After heading
the Greenleaf Center for seventeen years, Larry now heads
the Spears Center for Servant-Leadership.
Larry
and I have known each other for almost a decade,
having met back when I worked with Men's Wearhouse.
Like many of my relationships, however, this one
was a long-distance, no-face-time kind of thing.
We have logged many phone minutes and email exchanges,
but never were able to arrange a live meeting. This
time, we had to schedule more than a month in advance
in order to accommodate both schedules.
I
drove out to Larry's home office yesterday (April
9) for an excellent working lunch. After a bit of
small talk, and a view of the pond behind Larry's
house, we settled at the table and the real work
began. We talked at length about servant-leadership
today - who was doing what, how we could do more,
and how the current economic turmoil is an excellent
opportunity to use servant-leadership to help make
a difference. We traded a lot of ideas back and
forth, and have several concepts we're going to
consider for the near future.
While
there are several projects to look forward to, I
think the most exciting for me is the opportunity
to co-write with Larry. As I told Glenda, to me
it's no different than a best-selling author (Stephen
King, e.g.) inviting a newcomer to work with them
on their next novel. Obviously I consider it a great
honor, and am extremely excited! We have several
concepts to consider over the next few weeks. Then
we'll trade notes and see what develops. I won't
say more, as we are still in the concept development
stage.
Over
the years I've developed many no-face relationships,
many with people I consider close friends. Especially
in the music industry, but also in other areas,
being able to develop and maintain a close relationship
at a distance can be vital to success. And I when
I finally meet one of these long-distance friends,
it's a very special occasion. Finally sitting down
in the same room with the reigning guru of Servant-Leadership
was indeed a very special occasion. I look forward
to more meetings in the near future.
Lane
(left) with Larry Spears. Photos by Matt Spears.
Lane
and Larry finally meet after eight years. Learn
more about Lane and Larry here.
The
Time is Now!
No
one needs me to tell them the economy is a mess.
We are all well aware of the current situation.
Every day more cutbacks, layoffs and closings fill
the news. Some of you may be feeling the effects
at your own company. However, cutting back isn't
always the answer.
While
most of us understandably wish that we weren't in
this mess, that doesn't change the fact that we're
here, whether we like it or not. Now that we're
here, however, let's look for opportunities, not
only for within our business, but in our communities
as well.
Our
communities are in dire need of servant businesses
and institutions. We need leaders to pull us together
as a community to find solutions that are beneficial
to all. We need leaders to set a positive, productive
tone, setting an example for other businesses in
the community.
Yes,
we have to save where we can, shaving a little here,
trimming a little there. The key is to not cut back
on the important things. Things like customer service
and proper staffing levels. Employee morale boosters
often are often among the first to go, which can
have a negative impact on performance.
For
those who want to survive the downturn, even thrive
as the economy recovers, now is the time to raise
the bar, not lower it. The companies that continue
to serve their customers well, and treat their employees
well, are the ones who will come out on top as the
tide turns. And the companies who emerge as servants
to the community will be the cream of the crop.
I
believe that servant-leaders have an excellent opportunity
to demonstrate the effectiveness of the S-L philosophy.
By walking our talk we can show our communities
that serving others is the best path for
success. Therefore I encourage you to step forward,
not back. Find new ways to incorporate servant-leadership
into your business. Find new ways to serve your
employees, customers and community. As the economy
improves, the community will remember who was there
for them, and who wasn't. They will remember the
companies who still served their interests, and
they will be loyal.
The
time is now. Don't wait for someone else to take
the reins. Grab them yourself! Take the initiative.
Be the leader by showing others how it's done. Be
the servant and plant a seed in your community.
Then feed it, water it, nurture it, and watch it
grow.
Resource
- Organization
For
seventeen years, Larry Spears served as Executive
Director for the Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership.
He was also a very important mentor as I entered
into the world of humanistic management. I'm proud
to report that, last year, Larry stepped out on
his own to create the Spears Center for Servant-Leadership,
which recently received 501(c)3 nonprofit status.
The move has allowed Larry to expand his work, reaching
out to an even larger audience to champion the message
of servant-leadership. I hope you'll take a moment
to visit his site to learn more, and seriously consider
becoming a supporter.
The
Spears Center for Servant-Leadership
www.spearscenter.org
329 Garden Grace Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46239
317-416-8218
Quick
Tip - The Customer Doesn't Care!
Yes,
the economy is in shambles. Yes, it may have drastically
affected your business. But the customer doesn't
care! They've got their own troubles. Their budget
is shot and they're trying to figure out how to
keep food on the table. Even so, here they are in
your store or office with a desire to do business.
The
last thing this customer wants to hear is a monologue
about how badly your business is suffering. They
want to hear how you're going to help them within
their budget. They want to hear that you're still
capable of serving their needs. If you must talk
about the negative impacts of the economy, focus
the conversation on how it is affecting your customer,
not you. Show them you care about them, not just
yourself.
You've
Got Questions
Q:
How can I serve others when I'm barely breaking
even myself?
A:
There are many ways we can serve others, even in
times of economic stress. Being a better servant
in your business costs nothing, and can well ensure
that your customers continue to come to you. Being
a servant in the community costs nothing, and shows
others that you care about the health of the entire
community, not just your bank account.
Do
better business. Serve your customers even better
than before. Find the organizations that are suffering
the most and volunteer a few hours each week. When
volunteering, don't limit yourself to working only
within your business skill sets. The humane society
still needs someone to clean the creates and mop
the floor.
Thought
for the Day
Maturity
begins to grow when you can sense your concern for
others outweighing your concern for yourself.
John MacNaughton
End
of Servant-Leadership Solutions V2009, #2, a publication
of:
Lane Baldwin Servant-Leadership Solutions
My business is improving yours.™
Copyright
by Lane Baldwin Servant-Leadership Solutions, 2009. Reprinting
or republication of Servant-Leadership Solutions is prohibited
without prior approval.
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