Leadership as service, being part of a team as service, part of a friendship as service, participating in family as service… putting ourselves equally with another in context of relationship! I get this thought, this ideal! This ideal of service in leadership, in relationships overall, resonates with me in the most delicious way!
In my work the very best bosses or leaders I’ve worked for made me feel that they were there for me! And the other members of our team felt the same way. Our productivity was always high, commitment was foremost as was loyalty because we all felt the respect, trust, commitment from our leader - service!
In my best and most successful friendships the mutual giving and nurturing, the service to each other, has been the “why” our relationships continue… We are equals, giving to each other because of the love we feel for one another - service.
My family circle works so successfully because of service to each other and the whole. My vegan daughter often prepares our family meals. This loving act ensures that all items are vegan, but more Maddie is serving her sister and I out of love! Not to mention that her cooking is pretty darn good!
The passage also has me reflecting on difficult or currently relationships that are not very successful. The missing element is “service” as much as the struggle for power. I recognize that I cannot change anyone else, or cause anyone to behave in a particular way. What I can do is begin the change with myself by finding compassion and understanding for the other(s) in these difficult relationships and also to be of service to them and the group. The eternal optimist I am, tells me that this gentle loving approach might afford the change in our relationship that brings about a change in the overall attitude and intent of the other(s).
Service
Giving , doing and meeting another, there
Where they are at on their journey
Sharing compassion and understanding with another, where
We find ourselves together at this moment in time
Replacing expectation with the richness of giving, for another
Bringing about a change in self that ripples out to another, and another, and another…
On Aug 17, 2009 Susan Bradley wrote :
Leadership as service, being part of a team as service, part of a friendship as service, participating in family as service… putting ourselves equally with another in context of relationship! I get this thought, this ideal! This ideal of service in leadership, in relationships overall, resonates with me in the most delicious way!
In my work the very best bosses or leaders I’ve worked for made me feel that they were there for me! And the other members of our team felt the same way. Our productivity was always high, commitment was foremost as was loyalty because we all felt the respect, trust, commitment from our leader - service!
In my best and most successful friendships the mutual giving and nurturing, the service to each other, has been the “why” our relationships continue… We are equals, giving to each other because of the love we feel for one another - service.
My family circle works so successfully because of service to each other and the whole. My vegan daughter often prepares our family meals. This loving act ensures that all items are vegan, but more Maddie is serving her sister and I out of love! Not to mention that her cooking is pretty darn good!
The passage also has me reflecting on difficult or currently relationships that are not very successful. The missing element is “service” as much as the struggle for power. I recognize that I cannot change anyone else, or cause anyone to behave in a particular way. What I can do is begin the change with myself by finding compassion and understanding for the other(s) in these difficult relationships and also to be of service to them and the group. The eternal optimist I am, tells me that this gentle loving approach might afford the change in our relationship that brings about a change in the overall attitude and intent of the other(s).
Service
Giving , doing and meeting another, there
Where they are at on their journey
Sharing compassion and understanding with another, where
We find ourselves together at this moment in time
Replacing expectation with the richness of giving, for another
Bringing about a change in self that ripples out to another, and another, and another…
Sb 8/17/2009