Leadership and Learning are Indispensable to Each Other.- John F. Kennedy
Much of our learning takes pace in training events, being guided by mentors and coaches or from reading but the best lessons are learned from the people we meet in everyday life. Awareness leads to lessons from experiences all around us.
It is often said that more is “Caught Than Taught” and this week I had a gentle reminder of that while on vacation. I was on a cruise and each evening for dinner we had an open seating plan where we could select the time and table of our choice.
The first night we happened upon a table with a great waiter. He was personable, efficient and friendly. We so enjoyed his service that we requested him each night and for the first few nights we were fortunate to be seated in his section. Then as the week progressed it seemed he was more in demand and each time we requested him we had a ‘wait time’ for a table with him. We gladly did this for two more nights but then thought; “What difference could it be to be seated at another table with a different waiter?”
It did not take long for us to realize it was a huge difference. The service was terrible and the waiter acted as if we were bothering him, had no eye contact with us and disappeared for long periods of time in between courses.
You bet the next night we requested our original waiter but once again he was not available. However, when he heard of our request he arranged for another table to be included in his section to accommodate us.
So what does this have to do with learning? Everything!!!!! This man to the General public would not be deemed a Leader but to anyone who took the time to notice he was taking command of the dinning room. We were told that he was the most requested waiter on the ship.
I watched him closely as he made everyone feel important. Service was his craft and he took great delight and joy in taking care of people. He was efficient in the basic part of serving food but his personality was what stood out.
He always smiled, not only looked directly at each person but called us by name. This man took the time to notice the needs of each individual. If you could not decide on a dessert he would suggest one and then surprise you with the 2nd one as well.
He anticipated our requests as if he were reading our minds. His enthusiasm for his job was incredible; he told us he had been doing this for over 5 years and had been working his current contract time nonstop for 3 months and yet he appeared refreshed, as though he had just started.
I saw in that man true Servant Leadership. He set the pace for excellent service by going over and beyond what was required. He was ‘Others Centered’ putting his full attention on making the guests feel well cared for even when he must have been tired.
“Serving others prepares you to lead others.” – Jim George
In 1970 Robert Greenleaf coined the phrase; Servant Leader. He defined it by saying the Servant-Leader is a servant first. By that Greenleaf meant that the desire to serve, the servants heart, is a fundament characteristic of a servant leader. It is not about being servile; it is about wanting to help others. It is about identifying and meeting the needs of colleagues, customers and communities.
A servant leader leads by serving others. In other words servant leaders place the interest and needs of their followers ahead of their own self-interests and needs. Generally they value the development of their followers, building their communities, acting authentically and sharing power.
Some of the Characteristics of a Servant Leader.
Active Listening
Empathy
Awareness
Persuasion
Foresight
Stewardship
Commitment to the Growth of People
Community Building
I learned so much observing this Waiter and I was reminded . . . . .
~ Never become so much of an expert that you stop gaining expertise. View life as a continuous learning experience. – Denis Waitley
~ That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you’ve understood all your life, but in a new way. – Doris Lessing
~ As long as you live, keep learning how to live. – Seneca
and …. Whatever you do, do it with Joy.
What experiences have you had that have allowed you to Catch a lesson from someone? “More is Caught than Taught”!
