Monday Motivator: The Seeker and The Servant
By Scott Westerman
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Scott’s Maxim – “If you aspire to lead, first inspire through service.”
The story of the Servant Leader has had many incarnations. But its lesson is always the same. Here’s my version. I hope it inspires you as much as the original story inspired me.
Once upon a time, a group of learned friends gathered to discuss the concept of The Ultimate Truth. “Was there really such a thing as an Ultimate Truth”, one asked. “The diversity of human experience,” he said, “made truth a relative thing, often distorted and perverted to favor the few, at the expense of the many.”
One among the group told a tale of a place in the East where there existed a singular tribe, who had toiled across generations to understand and perfect an Ultimate Truth. As the wine flowed and an the evening wore on the group became fascinated with the story and, in time, it was decided that they would mount an expedition to find this tribe, and to discover, for themselves, it’s secret.
These were successful individuals, people of means and power, so it wasn’t long until the expedition was underway. After much debate, it was decided to engage an entourage comprised of servants from the many eastern countries where the tribe was thought to have lived and to seek their advice on provisions, protections and directions.
Thus equipped the expedition set forth. It soon became clear that the traits that had made each of it’s learned participants so successful lead to disagreements . Their authoritarian nature often angered others on the expedition. Everyone seemed to be certain of what to do. As a result, there were many heated debates that often brought the expedition to a standstill.
But among the servants, one emerged who seemed to be able to calm each crisis and focus everyone’s thoughts. He did so not by decree, nor by threat or authority, but through compassion, a desire to understand and a set of carefully framed questions that seemed to melt disagreement into consensus and guide the larger expedition forward with energy and confidence.
All went well until one morning when the group awoke to find the servant had vanished. What shall we do now? How shall we proceed? Without the servant’s influence, the expedition fell into disarray. With no small amount of confusion, anger and discomfort, lifelong relationships were shattered. The original intent of the journey was forgotten. The quest was ultimately abandoned and all returned to their homes.
But the man who had originally shared the legend, couldn’t forget it. He struggled to understand why these great friends, committed to a common goal had lost both their direction and their friendship. And what of the mysterious servant who had such a powerful impact on the expedition? Why did he leave? Where did he go?
Such was his obsession that the man decided to venture, alone, back into the wilderness. He made careful notes of how the servant had behaved, the things he said, the questions he asked. “The Seeker”, as the man came to be known, decided to emulate these behaviors in what would become his life’s quest. He sold all but his most basic worldly possessions, embarking on his journey with the notebooks on which he had written what he learned from the last expedition, and from the servant who so impacted it.
He wandered in search of Ultimate Truth for many years. He came to realize that the wisdom he thought he had was not really wisdom at all. He made mistakes: decisions that slowed his progress, causing him pain and suffering. Studying these, he altered his attitude of mind and his habits of behavior. As he pressed on, he found himself opening his heart and seeking to learn by acting exactly as had the servant who had helped guide the original expedition.
Along the way, he discovered that there were others who acted as he did. He found them in the halls of power, but he also many in the darkest slums. Each, he discovered, had a gift to give him. And The Seeker worked hard to uncover what it might be. He was also surprised to realize that those who didn’t practice the new behaviors that were becoming so ingrained in his being could also teach him. He came to understand that his quest would not be successful without listening, learning and seeking to serve everyone he met.
Slowly tidbits of information about the mysterious tribe began to reveal themselves. They were said to have a magical awareness of everything around them. They listened to everyone’s story with a genuine empathy that radiated peace and healing wherever they went. With these tools in hand, the tribe was able to envision the future and plan for it. It was true that they also experienced pain and failure, but faith in their purpose drove them forward, out of the deepest valleys and toward the highest summits.
One day, The Seeker found what he sought. The place was just as the legend had foretold. It was not a place of perfection and it’s people faced the same travails we associate with civilized life. But with a heart for serving a greater good, they could overcome every challenge find common ground among every disagreement and were able to build lives that were, by all definition, mutually fulfilling and happy.
The seeker recognized several of the tribe. They had revealed themselves as servants at other places along his journey, each teaching him a lesson that ultimately had made this discovery possible. When he asked one if he might know the tribal Leader, the servant smiled and beckoned him toward a simple hut near the edge of the village.
In the shadows, The Seeker perceived a man, surrounded by a ring of children who appeared to be continually asking questions. The Leader listened patiently. He gently answered every one, often asking questions that challenged the children to apply what they had learned, to solve, together, the ever more complex riddles they placed before him.
In time, the leader turned so that his face was fully visible. The Seeker instantly recognized him as the servant from the expedition. He, who the wisest men perceived as the lowliest servant, in fact held the secrets of the tribe within his heart and mind. Through his service, he was able to inspire the others to move forward. Without him, the expedition was a failure.
The Seeker fell to his knees and bowed with a humility he had never known. But there was still a cloud across his face. The leader guessed his thoughts. “You want to ask me why I left the expedition,” he said.
The Seeker nodded. “Awareness of the gifts of others is only half awareness,” the leader said. “It isn’t until we are self aware that true growth can begin.”
“And what of the future,” The Seeker asked. “I feel that I have been given so much. But each new insight only opens the door to more questions.”
“Becoming is a lifelong quest,” the leader said. “We are imperfect beings but the wisdom that is revealed in the very act of service can guide us toward life’s sunset, with great power in our hands and peace in our hearts. This is The Ultimate Truth.”
It seemed that the audience was over. The Seeker bowed again and began to back toward the entrance of the tent. Then a final question entered his mind. “What is the ultimate act of service,” he asked.
The leader held out his hands, palms raised upward. One by one, the children who surrounded him took hold until the circle was unbroken. The leader spoke just three words. It was barely a whisper, but the three words would become the most important lesson of The Seeker’s quest.
“Pass it on.”
Have a great week!
Feedback welcome via Scott@Spartanology.com.
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Hear “Observations From the Spartan Life” on MSU Today, Thursdays on WDBM and Sundays on WKAR-AM.
Monday Motivator: Why Great Moms Make Great Leaders
By Scott Westerman
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“Motherhood is.. the one job where, the better you are, the more surely you won’t be needed in the long run.” ~ Barbara Kingsolver, Pigs In Heaven
Robyn Ackerman wrote a great post this week about a certain group of people who are, perhaps, most likely to develop great leadership traits. “If you are looking for a new job,” she writes, “make sure to add ‘mom’ to your resume.” Here’s my take on Robyn’s list the skills that the resumes of great mothers and great leaders share: (more…)
Monday Motivator: What’s Important Now?
By Scott Westerman
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“One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important.” ? Bertrand Russell, The Conquest of Happiness
I received an email tonight from my friend Brian Willis. He teaches cops the things that they don’t teach at the academy. In his world, survival isn’t just about staying biologically alive. It’s about staying emotionally alive. Cops and journalists fight that battle daily. They often have to deal with situations that test our faith in humankind. People lie to them with regularity. They run down the bad guys but must also be compassionate enough to embrace the good guys.
Here’s how Brian closes everything he writes: “Take care and always remember Life’s Most Powerful Question – What’s Important Now?” (more…)
Monday Motivator: It’s up to You
By Scott Westerman
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”If it is to be, it’s up to me” William H. Johnson
With another crop of Spartans about to write the next chapter of their personal adventure story, it’s a good time to review the rules of engagement.
It’s up to You.
Life is ultimately Single Combat. And Rick Warren’s opening volley in the Purpose Driven Life, aside… It really is all about you.
It’s up to you to find a purpose and pursue it.
It’s up to you to keep an open mind and to never stop learning.
It’s up to you to have the courage to fail on your way to success.
It’s up to you to be accountable for your own actions, inactions and reactions.
It’s up to you to set the goals necessary to get you where you want to go.
It’s up to you to face the unpleasant realities of your current situation.. and to deal with them.
It’s up to you to keep the faith. There is always hope, unless you give it up.
It’s up to you to inspire others to follow you through the example of your service to others.
It’s up to you to learn how to love yourself, so you can learn how to love the rest of the world.
Happiness is a choice. It’s up to you to decide to chose it.
The Peaceful Warrior understands that life is “single combat”. We attract fellow travelers, but in the end, we alone are responsible for causing the effects we wish for ourselves.
Nobody else can make your dreams come true. Only you can.
It’s up to you to take the first step in that direction.. right now.
Have a great week!
Feedback welcome via Scott@Spartanology.com.
Get the Monday Motivator delivered to your emailbox.
Hear “Observations From the Spartan Life” on MSU Today, Thursdays on WDBM and Sundays on WKAR-AM.
Monday Motivator: The Difference One Friend Can Make
By Scott Westerman
“I Don’t Have A Single American Friend..” Tamerlan Tsarnaev – The Boston Marathon Bomber
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He stood in the corner of the room. The rest of the students were coalesced at it’s center, speaking an amalgam of heavily accented English that often slipped totally into their native language. Since my passion is connecting Spartans to other Spartans, I was drawn to him. (more…)
A Time for Heroes
By Scott Westerman
From a speech I gave to the Spartan Battalion graduating class of 2013 on April 16, 2013.
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Thanks for the honor of spending time with the finest graduates of the best ROTC program in the nation. Normally my remarks are off-the-cuff. But tonight, with your permission, I’ll be working off of a script, because I want to say exactly what I mean. (more…)
Monday Motivator: Six Facts of Life
By Scott Westerman
Scott’s Maxim: A fulling life is really a pretty simple proposition. Focus on a dream. Add value. And don’t stop working it until it comes true.
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I had the great honor of speaking at the MSU University Activities Board Last Lecture this past week. They asked me to distill a lifetime of learning about success and happiness into 30 minutes. That inspired me to look back over 4 decades of studying high performance people.
Six Facts of Life seemed to be common denominators. Here they are, along with some 30 day action plans to more deeply internalize them. (more…)
Carl Martin
In every organization there is that one person who you can always count on to get the job done. Someone who isn’t afraid to tell you what you need to hear instead of what he thinks you might want to hear and does it in a calm, professional, empowering way. A person who seems to have no ego, radiates authenticity and inspires respect, even from the toughest of customers. He’s the one you always think of when you need a public face. You turn to him to help lead the most challenging projects. Adding value in every situation is a reflexive part of his spirit. And he’s the first on the list when your boss asks you who deserves greater responsibilities.
This was Carl Martin. (more…)
Monday Motivator: To the Class of 2013
By Scott Westerman
I had the honor of keynoting at the Senior Class Council Honors Reception on April 7, 2013. I am always inspired and energized by these exceptional new Spartans. I talked about new beginnings, and the power that one person can have to change the world.
Congratulations on surviving your college experience. When you consider that only about 7 out of 100 people ever get this far in the process, your achievement is truly extraordinary.
Right about now, I start to hear from some of the students I talked with one year ago at this very event. After 12 months out there in the real world these are the 5 common things they tell me: (more…)
Monday Motivator – It’s Never Too Late
By Scott Westerman
Scott’s Maxim – “It’s never too late to become the person you want to be.”
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I was sure this would be an uncomfortable lunch. Someone I had recently fired wanted to link up to talk. Rolling the scenario over in my mind, it was clear that we had done everything we could to help him be successful. In the end, it was more about “will” than “skill”. He had the intellectual foundations to do what we needed done. He had done it well before. But over time, his performance slipped, past coaching, beyond the verbal and written warnings, and finally to termination. (more…)
The Spartan Life 2
