The Tribe Gathering - Mentally Preparing For The Week Ahead

Last week, I commented to a co-worker, that a former Supervisor, was one of the best leaders I have ever worked for. She asked, “What him such a good leader?”. I listed off the typical qualities one would expect, “ He was a great communicator, organized, prepared, not a micromanager, keeps us on track, but most importantly…. he was selfless”. Servant leadership by nature encompasses the number one most important trait in leadership….selflessness. While all people carry an innate amount of leadership traits, they don’t display all the traits, all the time. Even when they display these attributes, the totality of this display is dependent. Why? What factors affect the leadership qualities that are presented?

Selflessness is a tricky trait to draw out of your organization. It can’t be hammered into your culture like attitude or encouragement. Nor, can it be demanded forward by others, like courage, for example. Questioning it into existence doesn’t work. You can ask your athletes; “Are you giving me all you got?” or “Did you leave it all on the field?”. But, you can’t ask “Did you sacrifice enough for others today?”. No, this is different. It must be First and foremost, must be displayed by the top of the organization. Secondly, it must be carefully cultivated within your team. Then, and only then, does it become part of your cultural fabric. What I’m saying is …. It starts with you. The attributes you display will be expressed through your junior leaders and ultimately flow through the entire organization. Some leadership systems begin in this very same manner, but in many instances lack long-term effectiveness.

For example, I love the idea of Transformational Leadership. In theory, like many systems, implementation is key. As stated previously the issue I see arise in some instances of Transformational Leadership is that the process is geared toward short-term outcomes and simple changes in behavior. What we at the Tribe are proposing is that there is a change of heart and way of viewing and thinking about our place in the world. To desire to serve rather than accomplish tasks. But how do you show and teach someone to be a servant?

How do we draw out the selflessness within our team? Ask yourself 3 questions at the end of every day:

1. What did I do today, to put the needs of my team first?

2. Am I recognizing the self-sacrifice of others?

3. Am I fostering an environment of servant leadership?

“What did I do today, to put the needs of my team members first” – Simply: Did you put the needs of others ahead of yourself, today? As we have discussed, in our podcast series, when obstacles arise, look inward first and this is no different. Make it a point to find a way to put others first and most importantly without the expectation of reciprocity, accolades, or acknowledgment. It’s not about you. Any appearance of ulterior motives, from you, will destroy the natural flourishing within your culture. Hold yourself accountable by asking yourself this daily.

“Am I recognizing the self-sacrifice of others?”- Did you see any members of your team act selflessly? Did you recognize them publicly, privately, or neither? Recognizing these acts shows the team that you value these behaviors. It sets expectations, without requiring or demanding. Your underlings will perform at the convergence of your expectations and what you value. Unless this attribute is naturally exposed by a team member, it will not continue. Nor, will it spread through your team.

“Am I fostering an environment of servant leadership?”- This question needs a little different perspective, as it has both short and long-term views. Are you leading the way? Are you discouraging selfishness? Are you recognizing selfless acts? Are you encouraging other team members to recognize and appreciate the selfless acts of others? Do you have a “Walter Payton” type of award and if so, how much prestige do you place upon it? At West we have, what I consider to be our most important award, called the “We Never Stand Alone Award.” It’s selected by the coaches based on tangible data we collect from a system we call CLAWED as well as what we observe all year.

_{C.L.A.W.E.D = Character-Leadership (Water-Carrier)-Attitude-Wolverine (Perseverance)-Effort-Development}

The award is presented to the young woman that spends the year selflessly giving of herself to her teammates in whatever role she has on the team. Whether they’re a starter, superstar, or rarely play. She knows her role is to never allow a teammate to stand alone. She walks beside them in their pain, injuries, trauma, trouble, sadness, depression, etc, and holds their hand both figuratively and sometimes literally. And she does it out of a desire to serve the people she’s leading. What greater honor can be bestowed on someone than to say “I see you pour into everyone’s bucket every day. Thank you for loving your team.” In 2022 our team was blessed to win a state championship. The final and game-winning goal was scored by a sophomore who is still one of the captains of our team. In the post-game interview, when asked about the goal, she redirected the reporter and changed his narrative by stating, “It doesn’t matter if I scored. WE scored.” This captain, leader, and servant is exemplifying servanthood for her team.

From 2011-2013, I coached a young woman that is so dear to my heart. She’s endured more pain and trauma than a human should have to. And yet, now as a successful business owner, she serves as an abused women’s advocate in her free time. In a recent conversation with her, she said something that made a lump form in my throat. As I’m staring at this kid that used to wear cleats and a jersey for me, this eloquent, strong, young woman said, “I have to be there for these women. If no one else will, I will.” The dividends of Servant Leadership are seen by playing the long game.

If we seek to develop selflessness within our organizations: We must display this trait, we must recognize selfless acts, and we must value the sacrifice of our team. Servant Leadership starts with you.

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If you’d like to connect with us and allow us to help you begin a servant leadership pathway, level up your organization’s culture, or learn some tools you can use for both of these, then email us at [email protected]