The S of Leadership for the Young Mind

Two decades of my career have been in the service industry. Though in different sectors, my core has remained Customer Experience. Service is about the customer. It is about coming up with value adding propositions for the customer. Organizations understand that their relevance is assured to the extent that they can meet the Customers' needs in one way or the other. Service is adding value to someone else. And yes, it is never about you but someone else.

Some years ago, I was in search of ‘My Purpose.’ I had listened to others share their search stories and I had read several books. I knew there was more to me. It was amazing what I found! I found that ‘My Purpose’ was within me all along. Maybe I did not pay attention to it because of its simplicity – not as convoluted as some Vision Statements I had come across. ‘My purpose’ is to SERVE. To enable the potentials and the dreams of others come true, to show and share the love of God (the Grand Overall Designer) on earth. The ‘how’ manifests in various forms, usually riding on intrinsic or learned talents and gifts. Service as a virtue is unique, it is only in service that giving does not deplete you but it increases you.

it is only in service that giving does not deplete you but it increases you.

Our lives will only be remembered in the context of our service to others, our legacies only described in the way we impacted others. Ever attended a commendation service? Have you noticed that the speakers’ perspective is based on personal encounters with the commendee. Service is giving back to others and the society. It is lending yourself to your community (family, team, society etc.) by proffering solutions which solve or minimize the problems that abound in our society and the world at large. Service is a mix of the soft and hard stuff – from helping a child or the aged cross the road, mentoring, coaching, paying it forward by sponsoring a child through school to innovations that move the quality and standard of life to the next level. Service is not conspiring with silence to destroy the society, it is speaking up against the vices that stealthily and steadily destroy the environment in which we should thrive.

I am reminded of great men and women; Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King Jnr, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Helen Keller, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi to mention a few. They lived a life of service, the problems of the society in which they lived – be it health, slavery, apartheid, became the cause they lived for and in some cases eventually died for. Likewise, organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Foundation. Today, we continue to remember these men and women who moved society closer to realizing its potentials.

Service is very important in Leadership. The simplest way to lead by example – serve others. Does your community feel your impact or are you so consumed by the daily pressures of life that you feel you should live for yourself? You see, our environment will only yield back to us what we plant/put in it. What are you planting in your environment? Are you that one person who has the interest of others at heart or are you that one whose focus is on self? As a young girl, I spent a lot of time with my Grandmother whom we all called ‘Moomi’ – meaning ‘My Mother.’ She taught me that ‘when your neighbor is fine, then you are fine and Vice-Versa’

I work for a Multinational that encourages us (employees across countries)) to give back to our host communities using our time, affiliations, money and intellect. Every June (for 15years now), the first 21 days are dedicated to service. It has helped us imbibe a culture of ISR (Individual Social Responsibility). For some of us it continues to be a life transforming opportunity.

Service is a great way to build true relationships and to make a difference. The more you serve or help others, the more your circle of influence widens and the value of your social capital deepens. In their HBR article, 'Service Based Leadership,' Angie Morgan and Courtney Lynch discuss this form of leadership unique to the U.S. Marines. They found out that Superiors eating last and showing the way was reciprocated through team member loyalty and engagement.

The greatest type of service is selfless service. Expend your energy serving others. If you do not do this, then you might struggle with a future you did not prevent. Service empowers you to create the environment that enables you. It is the DNA of great leaders. Leadership is all about service.

Our S of Leadership for the Young Mind is Service.

Questions:

? Are you currently serving in any capacity in your family, school, and community?

? If no, why not?

? If yes, what are some of the things you have done to impact your community?

? In what capacity would you like to serve?

? Start serving through volunteer programs