Servanthood

I just completed a great day in meetings with two of the three Bishops from my church's denomination. Included in the meeting were myself and three others who all work outside of the local church. We were asked to be part of the Commission on Leadership Development for our denomination.

This is the third year for us gathering together and each of our meetings have produced some really cool things. Today was no exception.

Despite all the neat stuff that happened today, two things have stood out to me. Bishop Matt, who is the leader of this charge, volunteered to pick us all up at the airport and deliver us to the hotel in which we were staying. Since we were all coming from different parts of the country, this meant multiple trips for him.

We were told to call him when we arrived and he would come to get us. I happened to be on the connecting flight with one of the other members of the team and he had an old friend pick him up. They offered to take me to the hotel so I thought I would save Matt a trip.

When I arrived I received a phone call from Matt. He said he went to the airport to look for me. It then hit me that he anticipated my call and wanted to be there waiting for me so that I didn't have to wait. He didn't want me inconvenienced...and it ended up that he was the one inconvenienced which I felt bad about.

Then during our meetings, he would occasionally get up from his seat throughout the day and come behind one of us to massage our shoulders during our discussions. He did this last year too but it had slipped my mind.

To some, this all may not seem like a big deal, but to me this is huge. Here is someone who is at the top position within his field and he is going out of his way to serve me! What a great example!

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

Mark 10:45

Servant Leadership

Earlier this football season, I put up a post about Pete Carroll, USC's charismatic football coach, and how he kept his team loose before their big game against Ohio State.

Well, it appears he does some other things that many don't know about which also help him in his ability to be a great leader. He is a servant of others. Tim Moore from the Audience Development Group, wrote the following piece that I hope you find as interesting as I did:

It's eight at night. A reporter from LA Magazine is camped in Pete Carroll's office; the apex of Trojan football legacy on the USC campus. Suddenly Carroll ends the dialog and says, "I have to be somewhere." The writer asks if he can come along but is summarily refused.

"Absolutely not," says Carroll. The reporter asks again. With the critical eye of Joe Stalin, Carroll hesitates, acquiesces, and tells the writer he'd better change apparel. The USC coach rummages through a closet and flings a polo at the writer like a dished-off shovel pass. "Put this on," he says. The reporter asks, "How come?" Carroll tells the reporter that he might get shot wearing the bright blue. From there the writer struggles to keep up: an animated walk across campus to a waiting van, then to South Central Los Angeles. He tells J.R. Moehringer, now riding shotgun, to lose his notebook. There will be no quotations or formal written summary as it might make the people they'll be talking to anxious.

First stop, a group of guys on the street: maybe stoned, maybe drunk and possibly armed but to a person, stunned at who is approaching them. Carroll shakes hands, starts talking about football and the tension in the air falls away. They talk about their lives, the police, and other things...a car pulls up. Someone's mother, back from the store. Pete Carroll waves then helps her with groceries, carrying multiple bags. This can't be, she thinks; coach of the tightest, toughest, hippest college football team in the nation, a late night bag-boy? The scene is repeated with several other stops with similar reaction from stunned partisans of the night, until sometime after midnight they head for the obscure van and back to campus.

Carroll explains he feels this ritual is important, necessary in fact, to let these people know someone cares about them and has them in mind. He has found jobs for at least 40 men in these neighborhoods. On this night an emotional young man who thanks Carroll for coming out, places a bracelet on the coach's wrist; something he made and a symbol of solidarity.

Carroll admits few USC fans know of this routine. His wife, Glena, laughs and admits it worried her in earlier times, but not now. She tells LA Magazine writer J. R. Moehringer she's okay with it but drew the line on Baghdad.

If you're a UCLA or Cal fan, you've probably already made up your mind about Pete Carroll and the USC Trojans: arrogant, almost always a notch better, and so damn loose and cocky on the sidelines. If, however, you're ever invited on one of Carroll's after dark recon missions, you might just accept the premise that things are seldom as they appear. Pete Carroll defies the odds on and off the field, just as his boyish never-change-looks defy time. He keeps fun in the game and his players loose and unafraid. Once a card-carrying member of the NFL, he was only a number. Upon becoming the main man of Troy, Carroll became one the most prolific people in all of sports, and Trojan dominance of college football is evidence.

For those of us reaching for significance as leaders in a relatively short life, we'd do well to ask to ride shotgun in South Central Los Angeles with Carroll some night. If not, as an option spend 3 hours watching a Southern Cal game as Carroll strides the sideline in high animation, grinning ear-to-ear, patting players on the shoulders, having the time of his life. That's leadership. That's fun.

Service With A Smile

A friend of mine just shared a great quote with me. Neither of us know who said it but it is pretty good. "Life is like a game of tennis. The player who serves well seldom loses." How true.

When you receive great service somewhere doesn't it make you feel important. Maybe that is why Jesus told us we are to serve. Check out this story from Mac Anderson about someone who stuck out because he went above and beyond the call of duty:

The following story was told by my friend Phillip Van Hooser, in his book titled: Willie's Way. I really like it and hope you will too.

The conversation was pleasant. Earlier in the day I had presented a service professionalism training program for the Georgia Club Managers' Association, a group of managers representing some of the finest city, athletic, golf, and country clubs throughout the state of Georgia. Now I found myself dining with nine of the most highly respected leaders in the field of club management. Somewhere between the appetizer and the salad, Manuel de Juan, general manager of the host, Capital City Club, spoke.

“Phillip, I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation today. I especially enjoyed the stories you shared to illustrate your content points. As a matter of fact, at one point during your presentation, I almost interrupted you to share one of my stories I thought you might enjoy.”

He said, “The occasion was Easter Sunday and the day found more than 500 club members and their guests crowded into the overflowing Capital City Club restaurant. As they waited to dine, a club member and his four dinner guests approached the bar where they were greeted by the head bartender, Bob, who quickly began to take and fill each drink order. Everything progressed as might be expected until one of the guests placed an order for a specialty drink.
'I would like a sazerac, please.'

'A sazerac?' Bob asked curiously. 'Sir, I'm sorry but I'm unfamiliar with that particular drink. However, if you'll share its ingredients with me, I will be happy to make you one.'

'That's the problem,' the guest explained. 'I was in New Orleans on business recently and I stayed at the Fairmont Hotel. During my visit, I went into the hotel bar and the bartender suggested I try the house specialty, a sazerac. I remember the name of the drink because it was the same as that of the bar. Anyway, I tried the drink and I loved it.

Since then though, whenever I've tried to order it in other bars around the country I always get the same response, 'never heard of it.' I was hoping a place like the Capital City Club would be different. But never mind. Don't worry about it. Just give me a Bloody Mary instead.'

Bob filled the revised drink order, and as soon as the guest left the bar to rejoin his party, Bob took his break and headed straight to the nearest telephone. He called information and requested the number for the Fairmont Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. Once connected to the Fairmont, Bob asked for the Sazerac Bar. Within seconds, Bob was talking directly with a previously anonymous professional colleague in a bar several hundred miles away.

'My name is Bob and I am the head bartender at the Capital City Club here in Atlanta. A few minutes ago I had a gentleman order a sazerac. He told me he was introduced to it while visiting your bar. I was wondering if you would be willing to share the recipe with me so I can fill his order?'

Bob's New Orleans counterpart was happy to oblige.

Within a few short minutes, Bob confidently approached the guest's table. Imagine the guest's level of surprise, satisfaction, and sheer delight when Bob said, 'Excuse me, sir, but I have your sazerac. I hope it's to your liking. I have taken the liberty of writing down the ingredients on this index card so you can have them with you in your travels. I hope you enjoy your time here at the Capital City Club. I'm glad I had the opportunity to serve you.'

One of my favorite definitions of listening is from Jim Cathcart. He said listening is wanting to hear. And you see, Bob wanted to hear...and he did. Great service is always about wanting to hear.

Service Lesson Learned:Surprise...and delight!

"Whoever wants to be first must be a slave of all."

Jesus in Mark 10:40b

Serving Others

Yesterday in Toledo, we had our Community Leaders Prayer Breakfast which we hold annually on the National Day of Prayer. This was our 20th year so we decided to ask John Maxwell come to share with us. He also conducted a three hour leadership session. Both events really helped a lot of people.

Because I was on the committee that put this on, I had the privilege of spending some time with John at dinner the night before. Bob, who was the chairman of this year's event, was asking John at dinner how he wanted things to go on Thursday and John replied, "Bob, it doesn't matter to me, I'm just here to serve you." Here is maybe the world's top leadership expert who has written 50 or so books and speaks all over the world telling Bob that he was simply here to serve him. Very cool.

During his seminar, John shared that leadership is simply influence and that if you want to increase your leadership capabilities, you must increase your influence. So you may say, how can I increase my influence? John said that the way to increase influence is simply to add value to others. In fact, he says he gets up every morning and asks, "Lord, who can I add value to today?" Then before going to sleep he asks, "Who did I add value to today?"

John was constantly looking for ways to add value to all of us. He came to serve us. Now that's a leader!

“Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:26b-28

Lessons in Humility

I mentioned that I was traveling last week. The reason for my trip was that I was asked to be part of a Commission on Leadership Development for my church's denomination. In our meeting were the three North American bishops, one pastor and five "lay" people.

Matt, one of our bishops who was leading the meeting, taught me something about servant-hood and humility. During discussions, he would periodically get up and rub someone's neck and shoulders. He did this to me at least twice during the day and a half we were together. At first, it felt a little funny. But then I began to enjoy it and see it for what it was--Matt serving each of us.

I imagine it would be easy for Matt to feel he was above each of us, especially those not employed by the denomination. But that is not how he is. These acts of service left an impression on me...it truly meant a lot to me and it left me to wonder how I can better serve those around me.

The other impression I had from these meetings was that I felt inadequate. This room was filled with some incredibly talented people who had some amazing gifts. I was wondering why I was there. I felt as if I was not bringing much to the table.

I have a tendency to want to do things on my own. This is more than likely a pride issue. I feel that God was showing me that if I am going to be successful at anything, I will need Him and others round me...I cannot do it on my own. I know this in my head, however, I must need to get this in my heart, because this message came through loud and clear last week.

I truly was humbled...hopefully I can stay there.

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

James 4:6b

The Power Of The Little Thing

I returned early this morning for a trip to California which went well.

Yesterday, Yvonne, the wife of one of them men who was in meetings with me was at a coffee shop. She had ordered something to eat and was leaving the counter when a small portion of her food dropped on the floor. Rather than leave it there, she came back to pick it up.

A Spanish speaking woman asked her why she did that. Yvonne, who happens to speak fluent Spanish, responded that she didn't want anyone to slip on it. This led to further conversation which then led to a discussion about faith.

It turns out this woman had just lost her mother 11 days ago and was looking for answers. Yvonne ended up praying with this woman and she prayed to receive Christ! How cool is that?!

Yesterday evening I got on the airplane and was seated in a middle seat in the exit row. I had two men on either side of me. Neither seemed like the talkative type--in fact they both seemed rather unfriendly. Not a word was spoken for the first four fours of the four hour 20 minute flight. This was fine with me because I had work that I could do and some things to read.

As we were making the approach to the airport, I reached in my briefcase and got a piece of gum. I offered a piece to both of my non-communicative seat mates. They both accepted and were extremely grateful. It was as if they were saying, "Why did you offer me something when I haven't given you the time of day?" They truly seemed shocked. We actually talked a little bit for the remainder of the flight.

I would love to tell you that I prayed with both of them as Yvonne did, but that did not happen. However, I hope and pray that a seed was planted with them. Next time, I will try to do something nice for someone earlier in the flight.

On my drive home, I was struck by the power of a simple gesture and how someone's life literally can be changed forever by that.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

1 Peter 3:15b

Bus Stop

This morning I read something in the book of Mark that really got me thinking about my motives for doing what I do. Mark 9:35-37 says:

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."

I knew I was selfish, but it really struck me for some reason this morning that I do some things for the wrong reasons. One of the areas I am most selfish in is my "to do" list. I have this desire to always get everything done on it and when the list is too large, it stresses me out. This morning was one of those where I knew I had a lot on my plate so I wanted to get to the office early.

I kissed my son goodbye and left for work in a pretty steady rain. I got about a mile away and I was thinking about my son who was preparing to walk to the bus stop. It started raining more so I turned around and went back home. I told him I wanted to give him a ride to the bus stop.

He was very surprised...and thankful.

Lord, please help me to do this sort of thing more often!

Servant Leadership

This is a sad day for University of Toledo athletics, at least it is for me. Tom Amstutz, UT's football coach announced yesterday that he will be stepping down as UT's coach.

I am sad because Tom is a good man. His heart is as big as Texas and he truly cares for his players. However, his teams have struggled over the past several years, so in the business of football, a coach typically cannot survive that.

In the Toledo Blade this morning I found an interesting quote which sums up why I believe Coach Amstutz was such a good leader. Aaron Opelt, the Rockets Junior quarterback had this to say about his coach, "He looks after us. We're number one. He doesn't think about himself, ever. It's always about us."

As a leader, wouldn't you want that said of you?

Isn't that also what we can say about Jesus?..."He looks after us. We're number one. He doesn't think about himself, ever. It's always about us."

"Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:26b-28

Serving Him Where We Are

I just read an email devotional this morning that was very good. It talked about the fact that we do not have to leave our jobs to serve God. So many of us feel that in order to truly serve God we must become a pastor or a missionary.

God has designed us each with unique gifts. He wants us to use these gifts where we are today to serve Him regardless of what it is we do for a living. So how can we do that?

I have developed a program to help people with this very topic. If you would like to learn more and find out about a cool free trial opportunity (including a free copy of my book), go to http://www.bleedership.com/.

Make it a great day!

The Secret to Life

In an article in Christian Business Daily, Gerald Chester writes about some authors who wrote a book titled, Success Built to Last. In the book they state that the secret of life is really quite simple—it is serving people by doing what you have a passion to do.

Chester continues that:

Since we are created beings, a person’s passions, unimpaired by sin, must be created as well. If God is both strategic and intentional about how He creates, then a person’s passions are precisely what he or she needs to accomplish his or her divinely ordained purpose. It follows then that the greatest need of any created being is to discover the Creator and then to discover the Creator's reason for creating that person.

This implies that at the most fundamental level the secret of life is to serve others by using our divinely ordained passions to help others discover their divinely ordained life purposes.

Good stuff. I encourage you to click here to read the entire article.

Tony Dungy on Serving

Tony Dungy had this to say about FCA's second core value:

Serving

Ever since I’ve been in a leadership position, my focus has been the model of Christ as the servant-leader. There are different ways to lead, but I’ve always felt that it’s better if other people follow me because they want to follow, not because I’ve been put up there as the leader and they have to follow. To do that, you have to earn people’s trust and their respect; and the way to do that is to show them you are there to help them. As coaches, that is our job—not necessarily to win a championship, but to help all the players, everyone in the organization, do their jobs as well as they can.

Practical ways for a coach to serve: I really try to, number one, be a role model and serve my team spiritually. I want to teach them as much as I can about football and how to be better players; but I also want to help them be good people, do well in the community and do well after football. So, I try to present those things to them so that they can see that football isn’t the end of the road. Therefore, I am hopefully serving them as individuals, serving their families, and also serving them by giving everything I have to make them the best players they can be.

How Christ’s example of serving factors into coaching: To me, Christ’s model was the best. He had quite a few disciples, but there were 12 guys He really poured Himself into. He did so much to make those guys the best team they could be. At times, that involved teaching, it involved His being the example, it involved one-on-one talks.

For me, it’s the same thing. I want my players to know that I’m not the one trying to be up front and get all the rewards, but I’m really there to make them the best team they can be. That’s going to involve working as hard as I can, spending hours studying the other team to get our game plans ready, and doing everything I can so that they can play well. And more than that, it is being involved, being there for them, being a sounding board and trying to help their families.

Your Serve

I talked with a good friend of mine yesterday who has been experiencing some difficulties in his marriage. His wife recently had emergency gall bladder surgery and was not to do much for 4-6 weeks. As a result, my friend had to really step up and fill in the gap while she recovered.

I asked him how he and his wife were doing and he said, "It seems like she is a little more tender-hearted toward me as a result of all this." I asked why he thought this was and he said it probably had to do with the way he was serving her.

What a great lesson for each and every one of us to use in all our relationships, especially if you are a leader. The greatest Leader of all time, Jesus said that He "did not come to be served, but to serve."

Who can you serve today? You might find that your service toward that person really improves your relationship.