Dr. John Stahl-Wert, Founder of the Center for Serving Leadership, Episode 248
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Dr. John Stahl-Wert is the Founder of the Center for Serving Leadership. He has pioneered training solutions for thirty years, working with organizations worldwide that want to produce outstanding results by investing in their people. He has written eight books, including the international best-sellers The Serving Leader and Ten Thousand Horses. John has coached executives in hundreds of other businesses in the U.S., Singapore, and Hong Kong. John has been married to Milonica, his business partner, for 44 years. They enjoy designing and building things, traveling, going to church, and loving and being with their family, friends, neighbors, and Serving Leader colleagues from around the world.
This week on the show, John and I discuss the concept of servant leadership and how John’s strategic thinking and activator personality still guide his approach to problem-solving and decision-making. He shares the significance of clear values for leaders, why learning from failures is important, and how to practice effective delegation so the next generation can take over. John also discusses the traits of successful leaders and the importance of humility and vulnerability in leadership.
“The serving leader is the only kind of leader.” - Dr. John Stahl-Wert
“You need to lead by values.” - Dr. John Stahl-Wert
“Suffering builds perseverance; perseverance builds character. We have to be willing, as leaders, to hurt.” - Dr. John Stahl-Wert
This Week on The Wow Factor:
John’s upbringing as a conservative Mennonite in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with a mix of Amish and Mennonite influences
John shares his leadership experience in high school, understanding that deferring leadership led to regret and a lack of inclusivity
Why leaders across the globe share the traits of being teachable and willing to learn from their experiences
How John's strategic thinking and activator personality guides his approach to problem-solving and decision-making
Why company values must be clear and specific for others to understand and follow
How to make small, incremental changes in leadership practice
Why delegation involves extending trust and authority, but incorrect delegation can do more damage than good
Why it’s so important to bake goodness into a company for future generations, and how value is destroyed when companies are sold without a strong cultural foundation
Dr. John Stahl-Wert’s Words of Wisdom:
In servant leadership, we serve our people, standards, and values. If we serve ourselves primarily, we destroy value. Laying yourself down for something more important than yourself is not an easy path, but it’s worth it.
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