[My Wednesday blogpost series is connected to my 2020 4Q program in which I share my personal responses to the questions raised in the worksheets.] 

[The first edition of your worksheets repeats a question on self-worth. Disregard and answer this instead.] As you consider the DOING aspect of serving leadership, what are some practical ways you can serve your spouse, children, co-workers, employees, or friends?

Serving my wife Amy includes listening to her talk about her work and concerns that may not be of interest or of concern to me. It means getting outside my world and into her world, attempting to see things from her perspective. Once I am truly empathetic, it sometimes matters little what I actually do, as long as I do it with her best interests in mind. Serving includes—though certainly not limited to—spending quality time with her, giving her flowers/cards/gifts, playing games with her, taking walks together, stacking the dishwasher, and helping her clean our condo. By engaging in these activities I speak her love language.

With my children, listening is the biggest gift I have to offer as I serve them. Practically, I serve my children by taking them out to restaurants for one-on-one dates. My daughters especially love to discuss Biblical and theological issues. My son really enjoys talking on anything related to sports, his friends, and school. I also serve my children by listening to their music or the podcasts they’re currently processing. Purchasing college textbooks, technology, and other small things also help lighten their load. Dropping in on them at their respective college campuses for a quick coffee or meal while passing through has always been a real highlight for them. One year I served my daughters by taking them on a trip to the destination of their choice; my son opted to go to a big sporting event in our city. In the last few years I’ve also been helping them put together a purpose statement.

My “co-workers and employees” category fits those who I work beside in the non-profit I direct—the Reverb Network. My best way to serve them is by putting together leadership development materials and videos, staying in touch via phone calls and email, and providing direction, encouragement, and spiritual input whenever we get together.

Everyone else fits into my “friends” category. If you’re not my friend yet, I will do my best to befriend you when we connect in the future! I serve my friends by sharing truth that will help them make the world a better place. I serve my friends by looking for small ways to build them up and inspire them. I serve my friends by challenging them in love when they are out of alignment with the truth. I serve my friends by showing compassion when they are hurting. I serve my friends by sharing little acts of kindness and the gift of a smile. I serve my friends by listening to their stories and being genuinely interested in their ideas, concerns, and dreams. I serve my friends by agreeing to disagree agreeably when we both perceive reality differently.

Now it’s your turn. What are some practical ways you can serve your spouse, children, co-workers, employees, or friends? Go ahead, write something down…you are a serving leader!