understand

Every Person Has a Story

Every person has a story. Do you know and do you care? Every person has a story. Is anyone out there? Will you take the time to listen—take the time to settle down? Cause every person has a story … even the circus clown. Tell me your story so that I may understand. Tell me your story so I might lend a helping hand. Inspire me with your uniqueness because I can learn from you. Every person has a story—today  go talk to two!

 Joe Kiedinger

 ACTION PLAN: Ask two people to tell you their story—then simply listen.

Through a different lens

My wife and teenager were away for an evening which left me the opportunity to plan an appropriate activity with my three little girls, Joey’s Angels! I love impromptu planning. I decided I was going to take them to the new movie Dolphin Tale. The movie was playing in two theaters. Because I had to pick up my middle girl from a birthday party, we had to choose the later showing that was playing at 7:05 p.m. We entered the building, paid the obscene ticket price, and as we were walking away from the cashier the greeter said, “Oh, don’t forget your 3D glasses.” 3D? I thought. Cool! I was hoping my youngest would tolerate watching the movie with the ‘50s-style, black-rimmed glasses. I took a picture of the girls in the theater and sent it to Danica. It was a really cute sight.

The movie was touching and I recommend it, but what I really wish to share with you is the actual 3D experience. If you’ve never seen a 3D movie, the picture itself looks quite blurry if you are not wearing the special glasses. However once you put on the glasses and peer through the lenses, the picture appears vibrant and rich. This is the perfect analogy for how we view people. When we come across people who are not like us, we immediately begin to point out what is wrong with them because they “appear blurry.” It’s no different than if you had entered that movie not knowing it was 3D. If you had no previous experiences with 3D technology, you would jump to the conclusion that something is wrong with the projector or the film. I have developed the About Me Card program to remove the blur by offering what is in effect a pair of 3D glasses for viewing people for who they are and not the blurry, skewed view based on our past experiences and biases. Servant Leadership is getting out of your own way, stepping outside of yourself to serve and understand others.

There are a lot of perks that come with understanding people better. Would you believe it if I told you that my stress level has gone way down? Would you believe it if I told you my blood pressure has dropped? The anxiety of misinterpreting people is exhausting and bad for your health. I don’t waste my time anymore. I’ve replaced judgment with curiosity. Oh, I slip back to my old self once in a while, but I’m getting better. I encourage you to step out of yourself for awhile and view people through a different lens. It can help you, and you’ll love it!

Joe Kiedinger

A Servant’s Journey

I was fascinated watching him play. “Get out of you,” I heard a voice say. I watched as he challenged me and how I loved him as he grew into a preteenager. “Get out of you,” I heard the voice say again. I was too busy judging him, pretending that his reality was my own. He became a teenager and I felt him drifting away. “Get out of you,” the voice said yet another time. I finally decided to listen to the voice.  As soon as I got out of me, I was finally able see my son for who he was. My eyes were open and I could finally be the dad he needed me to be.

Get out of yourself this week and begin to understand those around you: a spouse, a child, a co-worker or a friend. A Servant Leader sees people through their eyes. Join us and see again for the first time.

Joe Kiedinger

An Inspiring Story!

Tim was a young man who had just started his first real management job at a large electrical contractor in the greater Milwaukee area. Tim had never heard of Servant Leadership as a movement or a practice. Up until this first management assignment, he had been working for other companies and had been married for six years. He married young and he and his wife had two small children and a great relationship. Tim always came to work optimistic and could always see through obstacles as they came his way. The president of the company decided to spend some time with his young manager and began to teach him the philosophies and practices of Servant Leadership.

The president explained that if Tim wanted to lead, he first must serve. Tim’s leadership would not be evaluated by what HE got done, but by what he got done through others. The wise leader went on, “You first must understand yourself, then you must understand and serve one other person, and then you must understand and serve a group!”

  Knowing that Tim had a young family, the president suggested he start by understanding and serving his wife. “Oh,” said Tim, “I’ve been serving her since the day we said, ‘I do.’ “ 

  “How do you serve her?” the president asked.

 “We’ve been married for six years and for six years I’ve kept a journal,” Tim replied. “Everyday I try to find some way to serve my wife. Unexpected flowers. Clean a room, the house or her car. Get up with the crying babies. I only count the service if it’s something she normally does or is responsible for.”

The president’s jaw dropped. The teacher had become the student.

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN:  Join us next week Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 3-5 p.m. at The Marq, 3177 French Road, De Pere, to learn about Servant Leadership. Robert Chapman, CEO and chairman of Barry-Wehmiller, will make a presentation about the company’s commitment to people-centric leadership, continuous improvement and disciplined growth that has helped transform it into a well-balanced and financially solid organization. Those interested in attending should RSVP (seating is limited) by contacting me with the number of attendees at joek@prophitmarketing.com