Servant Spirit is foundational.

Last week I presented “Selected Squared” to a group of managers in an organization of nearly 1,000 employees. Click here to view the original post that contains the Select Squared slidedeck.

At every level in outstanding organizations, leaders and employees embrace a spirit of service to others that is reflected in their behaviors. Here’s what I mean.

When I started my business a few years ago, I had the privilege of working with a startup community bank here in Lynchburg – Select Bank (for whom Select Squared was coined). Wayne Carpenter, their CEO at the time, exemplified the idea of leader as servant more than any other person I’ve met in the entirety of my professional career. In every interaction I observed Wayne had with others, he:

• Employed great listening skills
• Treated people with respect
• Gave encouragement
• Appreciated people
• Was committed to the success of others

Wayne served others through his behaviors.

Today, that same leader servant spirit continues at Select Bank in CEO J. Michael Thomas. Mike cares about his people, an idea that is demonstrated through sacrifice.

Last winter when the Select Bank building was completed, I stopped in for a visit. To my surprise, Mike was not in the corner office, nor any of the picturesque spaces overlooking the duck pond. Instead, he chose to make his office in the middle of the building, in a space with a less than awe-inspiring view. Immediately I knew this was an indication of leader who serves, rather than one who expects to be served. (As I type these words, I remember what Jesus said in Mark 10:45.)

That day I was reminded of Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, who makes his office in the middle of a cube farm. Watch a snippet of the Zappos story on Oprah.

Now, take a moment and think of outstanding organizations that consistently deliver excellent service. Have one or two in mind? Wouldn’t you agree that leaders and employees in those organizations fully embrace the idea of Servant Spirit through their behaviors and their sacrifice? I’m pretty sure those leader servants would never toot their own horns.

Why not toot for them? Tell me more about those folks and about your positive experiences with leader servants in the comments section below.

(Creative Commons photo Mother Theresa by Kevin Van Lierop.)