How many times have you seen a sign at a restaurant, read an article in a magazine, or met a person who just made you stop in your tracks and think, “Wow! I’ve never thought of it that way before.”? I think we’ve all had those moments of clarity when we sort of re-evaluate our lives and walk away feeling a little taller, a little wiser, and a lot more inspired.

 Here’s a quote I ran across that might inspire you:

 ”The adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of life is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give.”

~ William Arthur Ward

 This quote just screams “Servant Leadership” to me: learning, growing, changing, overcoming challenges. Caring about, serving, and giving to others. That’s what it’s all about! I’m feeling inspired, how about you?

 Joe Kiedinger

Action Plan: Allow yourself to be inspired by the things around you!

 However, when the snows of winter thawed and the weather got nicer, they began to notice things outside. They noticed the neighbors directly behind them had a pool which hadn’t been cleaned in a very long time and the water was green and unsightly. They noticed the neighbors’ fence, which was once hidden by snow, was rusty and in shambles. They also noticed these neighbors liked to have loud parties late into the night which made it hard for the couple to sleep.

 Being frustrated with their neighbors, the couple decided the best thing they could do was to put up a high fence and block the neighbors from view. When they went to the store and realized just how expensive the fence would be, they decided against it. Instead, the couple came up with a wacky idea. They went to the neighbors’ house and invited them over for dinner.

In doing so, the couple was able to get to know their neighbors as people rather than as an unnamed nuisance. In fact, they found they actually enjoyed the company of their neighbors and soon formed a friendship. Then, when an issue did come up, not only did it not bother them as much, but they found they could easily and comfortably discuss it with their new friends. It was through communication that their troubles seemed to melt away.

 Do you have someone “difficult” in your life? Have you put up a fence between yourself and that person? What better time than Christmas time to take down our fences and serve others, especially those who try our patience the most. Soon you’ll discover there was no reason for the fence in the first place.

 Joe Kiedinger

 Action Plan: Look for ways you can “take down fences” with the difficult people in your life.

 Joe Kiedinger

 Joe Kiedinger

 ACTION PLAN: Ask two people to tell you their story—then simply listen.

If you’re like most folks, you probably had grandiose plans for the summer: maybe hitting Wisconsin Dells, taking a road trip, and perhaps boarding a plane for a family vacation out of state, but just didn’t get around to everything. I understand the feeling-life seems to happen so quickly, especially during these short summer months.

Similarly, it’s all too easy to make grandiose Servant Leadership plans and then just never get around to them. You know what I mean-maybe you read something completely inspiring or went to a motivational seminar that got you pumped up to make big changes. In the moment, you felt like you could do anything, but then the inspiration faded somewhat and you got caught up in everyday tasks.

You can still accomplish your big Servant Leadership goals! I hope to keep your inspiration levels up through Wisdom On Wednesday. All you need to do is break your goals into realistic, manageable chunks. Start off with a goal that can be accomplished in one minute a day. Who doesn’t have one minute?

Is it humility, patience, respectfulness, kindness, selflessness, forgiveness, honesty, or commitment that you need to work on? What can you do in one minute today to improve as a Servant Leader? These short moments can really add up and create big change!

Also, if Servant Leadership is something that resonates with you, I invite you to join our Servant Leaders of Wisconsin Group. It’s free to join. Our next meeting is at The Marq, September 21st from 3-5. Our keynote speaker is Bob Chapman, Chairman and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller. Bob has infused dozens of companies around the world with the Servant Leadership philosophy; although, he calls it People-Centric approach. You will be inspired by his words and impressed by his actions. Afterward, for those who are interested, we will help you get started on the Servant Leadership journey. One that you already believe in if you believe in mutual respect and accountability. Let me know if you would like to be included on our e-mail list by responding to this Wisdom and we will send you more details.

Here’s to a better life through serving others!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Come explore our Servant Leader community!

 As she introduced herself (I learned that her name was Gretchen), she brought me back to my junior year. I went to an all boys high school and she attended an all girls one. Our choirs joined for a big concert at the local cathedral. I just happened to be picked to stand near her; she was a freshman at the time. She explained that her father had passed away unexpectedly then and her life was torn apart by the tragedy. She said she had been feeling pretty bad about herself and her misfortune. She told me that I noticed her voice and said to her, “You have a very beautiful voice. You should try out for the swing choir at school.”

Gretchen told me that changed her. She tried out and made the swing choir her sophomore year and went on to become a schoolteacher. She told me she never forgot those few words that helped to bring out the musician in her. This seems like a pretty extreme story, but is it? How many lives can you change by your kind words and seemingly insignificant servant-like actions? I was lucky to have experienced this story again some 23 years later. You too are creating stories with your everyday decisions. Be aware of this as you go about your daily activities. The actions and words you choose today could be the difference for someone tomorrow!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Be nice!

 My girls were devastated. As is the routine every morning, I grabbed Maggie, our dog, and set off for her morning walk. Usually on my walk, I think about the meetings I have scheduled and everything that I wish to accomplish for the day. I decided to think about my girls and wondered, “How can I serve them and create something they’ll never forget?” I started planning a new itinerary and began to giggle inside.

 I walked into the house and announced, “Girls, grab your lunches and all your stuff. Today is Daddy Day Camp!” Danica looked at me with a curious grin. “Really?” she said. I nodded and said, “Girls, today we will begin with a pancake breakfast followed by crafts at the office for one hour (I had an hour meeting). We will then have a short music session (I let them play on the piano in my office during a short second meeting). After music it’s off to Festival where you will practice Servant Leadership by writing a letter to your mom on the three ways you appreciate her (during my last meeting of the morning). We will then head off to the public swimming pool and water slides for the afternoon where we will also have a picnic lunch. I will then bring you home for tennis lessons (I then headed out for my last meeting of the day).”

 Daddy Day Camp was a HUGE success. I’ll never forget it and neither will they. Always find a way to serve. It will do more for you than it will for them!

 Joe Kiedinger

 ACTION PLAN: Be Creative! There’s always a way!

We headed up north for bonfires and Airsoft wars (Alex and I play this—it’s like BB guns with plastic BBs). My little girls jumped on the trampoline, discovered they could climb trees and enjoyed a canoe ride with mom. It’s simple. We headed back on Sunday and watched a tribute to the Armed Forces on PBS and finished out our holiday with a local parade and picnic outside on our patio.

My point in telling you our whole weekend itinerary is that aside from some extra gas for going up north our weekend cost us less than $30. We lived on groceries and played with things we already had. My oldest daughter, Alina, gave me a hug Monday night and said, “This was the best weekend ever! Thank you for making it great!”

The greatest vacation or weekend you can give your kids is spending time together. You don’t need expensive tickets or extravagant meals. You just need creativity and the desire to connect and spend quality time.

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: What fun family weekend can you plan for under $30?

Are you thirsty for knowledge? Do you crave it? Having an open and courageous mind can free you from life’s troubles that come your way. Self-taught people have the amazing ability to create, because they take the best and discard the worst of everything they read. It’s OK to begin a book, skim a few chapters and discard it if its contents are not relevant to you right now. We can’t learn unless we are ready, and sometimes we are seeking certain types of information. In these instances, it’s OK to set books aside while in search of specific content you are needing right now. Never throw a book away because you may need it later as your journey grows.

If you are on a journey of wanting to better understand your co-workers, boss or teenagers, keep reading. If this is not your journey at this time, my wisdom ends here. Bottom line is this: You are in control of your own destiny and the quickest way to grow is the old-fashioned way—slowly and deliberately through self-education and focus.

Joe

ACTION PLAN: Next week we have openings on March 21st (5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.) for Teen Bootcamp! Adults only. Get to know your teen all over again. The mind of a teenager is revealed and how to tap into it. March 24th – an Introduction to the About Me Card System for Business (7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.). These are short, free seminars on 21st century communications based on Servant Leadership. Click here to hold your spot!  Click here!

I am simply amazed at how people make a living. Danica and I started looking at other items we use and take for granted: shoe laces, awnings, street lamps, concrete sales, or how about golf tees! I heard that there are only three golf tee manufacturers in the world. One is located in Florence County. Hey, someone’s got to do it! I take nothing for granted. Thank you to all of you whose jobs may be overlooked or misunderstood. Thank you for showing up and serving our needs—whether we realize those needs or just take them for granted!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Take nobody for granted today!