Servant Leaders of Wisconsin
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012
at 9:24am
The title above was the title of a speech I gave just two weeks ago. I’ve actually had this title for the past year. However, I’ve realized that your head must always be involved. When I was little, my siblings and I were watching an episode of The Brady Bunch. This particular episode had a story line where the parents were friends with their kids. Afterward watching the show, my siblings approached my mom and said, “Mom, we want to be your friend!” My Mom responded, “I can’t be your friend. I’m your mother. Friends do things you want. Parents do things you need. Our relationship is much closer than being friends.”
As leaders, our employees need us to lead them. This means giving a strong focus to the future and steering the ship. I used to always say to my staff, “Figure it out.” I realize now that this response isn’t fair. Although we want our staff to think for themselves, we also need to guide them and lead the way. Our employees don’t need more friends—they need something much more relevant: They need leaders.
I’m not sure what my new speech title will be, but it definitely will be changed!
Joe Kiedinger
ACITON PLAN: Next Thursday, May 24th, our Servant Leaders of WI meeting will be held at The Marq from 3-5 p.m. The focus will be on “The How” of Servant Leadership! All are welcome. It’s free. Let me know if you can make it!
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
at 10:21am
When I talk to people about what it means to “leave a legacy,” I hear many different responses, everything from building a park that the community can enjoy to inventing a breakthrough product to solving an incurable disease. Legacy thinking takes on so many different forms. There are those, however, who I do think tap into what real legacy thinking is all about: making an impact in another person’s life.
To leave a legacy, you don’t need to solve the world’s energy crisis—you can do something as simple as having a positive impact in someone’s life by being a good leader. I invite you to explore this aspect of leadership at our next Servant Leaders of Wisconsin (S.L.O.W.) meeting coming up Feb. 22. Bryce Paup, a former Green Bay Packer and NFL Pro Bowl player, will be the keynote speaker and will talk about authentic leadership. Bryce has made Green Bay his home and has committed his life to the enrichment of others. Currently he is the head coach of the Southwest High School football team. He also conducts a Life Skills program to help people cope and learn how they can reach deep to overcome obstacles in their lives.
I’ve had the privilege of getting to know Bryce over the last six months and his message and character are sincere. You can make an impact by affecting the lives of others in an authentic way as Bryce is helping others to do. We hope you will join us for this free event. Contact Meredith Bartos at meredithb@prophitmarketing.com to receive more information.
Join us in creating a better community and a stronger world!
Joe Kiedinger
ACTION PLAN: Contact Meredith to receive information on this special event.
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011
at 10:36am
Monday we held our Servant Leaders of Wisconsin (Fox Valley Group) quarterly meeting. Our guest speaker was Tom Thibodeau from Viterbo University in La Crosse. Tom is the Director of the Masters in Servant Leadership Program at Viterbo. He spoke for about an hour and part of his focus was helping us realize the power of words. He explained that when you say something to another person you feel that those words are dead. They are out of your mouth and they are dead. However, to another person they become alive. If your words are kind, they hold on to that person like a best friend. If your words are harmful, they remain with the person like a bad nightmare.
The words you use define you. Do you appreciate and compliment the people in your life that you come across every day? Such as the paper carrier, mail carrier, hair dresser or parking lot attendant? I’m certainly not perfect but I’m getting better. While driving to Disney with my family, I decided to compliment and thank every toll booth attendant in the state of Florida. I thanked each one for coming to work and gave each a sincere compliment of what I observed in the 20 seconds or so that we were together. I gave compliments like: “I love your hairdo,” “Great shirt or tie,” or “Wow, you have a wonderful smile.”
Guess what? They all smiled and the words I planted began to grow within them. I felt great and so did they. Begin planting some words this week that help you build up and appreciate others. You‘ll be amazed at how it will make you feel!
Joe Kiedinger
ACTION PLAN: You know what to do!
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
at 9:58am
Wow, this Servant Leadership movement is spreading like wildfire! Currently we have four cities in Wisconsin that host quarterly Servant Leadership forums. Our chapter here in the northeast part of the state, Servant Leaders of Wisconsin, Fox Valley group, had more than 150 people attend our last meeting. Bob Chapman from Barry-Wehmiller was our guest speaker during the 90-minute gathering.
Our next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 14 from 1-3 p.m. at The Marq in De Pere. Our guest speaker will be Tom Thibodeau. He is engaging and fantastic! Tom teaches at Viterbo University in La Crosse and heads the only master’s program in Servant Leadership in the state. He received rave reviews when he spoke for 15 minutes at our first meeting back in May. If you attended the Festival Foods Jim Hunter event, Tom spoke on the stage.
Tom’s style and passion for Servant Leadership is based on civility in the community. His vision is to create the first Servant-led state! If you are at all curious on building your family, your business and your life around serving others, please attend our free event. You will be inspired—I guarantee it!
Joe Kiedinger
ACTION PLAN: Seating is limited so please e-mail Meredith Bartos at meredithb@prophitmarketing.com to reserve your spot!
Wednesday, August 31st, 2011
at 9:49am
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.
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