decisions

Do you know enough to care and care enough to know?

Corporate culture drives results. Improve the culture and you WILL improve the results. It’s why so many companies are investing in and evaluating their corporate culture. Beginning a culture change or shift is a senior leadership thing, not an HR thing. HR can assist and guide; however, the leadership team must be on the same page to ensure that the desired results from a shift or a change are achieved. When it comes to instilling Servant Leadership in your culture, you’ll want to focus on individuals along with results. Building a culture of accountability requires having measures in place to ensure that responsibilities are being met by each individual.

Building trust with your team is crucial for people to feel confident in making decisions and taking ownership of their individual responsibilities. This is a core element of Servant Leadership, and it begins with a simple understanding. First understand yourself, how you come across to others, and how people may perceive you. Then focus on understanding another person and then understanding a group. When you understand the beliefs and motivations of a team, real understanding can be created which leads to trust.

If the idea of a Servant Culture resonates with you, I invite you to become part of a movement we are starting that is growing across the state. Join Servant Leaders of Wisconsin, Fox River Valley Group, for our free quarterly meetings. On September 21st, Robert Chapman, CEO and chairman of Barry-Wehmiller, will share his people-centric philosophy that he and his team have replicated over and over in the dozens of companies they own across the world. Come to be inspired and meet like-minded people, and we’ll help you get started on your Servant Leadership journey.

E-mail me at joek@prophitmarketing.com to reserve your spot. Space is limited so please let me know how many will be attending. Meredith will send you more information on the event if you’re interested.

Change your culture, change your results!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Join us September 21st from 3-5 p.m. at The Marq. R.S.V.P. is appreciated.

Insignificant moments can have so much significance!

I walked into a restaurant this past December with my wife, Danica. A woman noticed me as I walked in and grabbed my arm deliberately but compassionately. She said, “I’m sure you don’t remember me, but you made a huge positive impact on me 23 years ago!” My ears and attention perked up. “What did I do?” I said cautiously.

 As she introduced herself (I learned that her name was Gretchen), she brought me back to my junior year. I went to an all boys high school and she attended an all girls one. Our choirs joined for a big concert at the local cathedral. I just happened to be picked to stand near her; she was a freshman at the time. She explained that her father had passed away unexpectedly then and her life was torn apart by the tragedy. She said she had been feeling pretty bad about herself and her misfortune. She told me that I noticed her voice and said to her, “You have a very beautiful voice. You should try out for the swing choir at school.”

Gretchen told me that changed her. She tried out and made the swing choir her sophomore year and went on to become a schoolteacher. She told me she never forgot those few words that helped to bring out the musician in her. This seems like a pretty extreme story, but is it? How many lives can you change by your kind words and seemingly insignificant servant-like actions? I was lucky to have experienced this story again some 23 years later. You too are creating stories with your everyday decisions. Be aware of this as you go about your daily activities. The actions and words you choose today could be the difference for someone tomorrow!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Be nice!