Real Gold vs. Fool’s Gold Leadership
Robert Greenleaf, the founder of the servant leadership movement of the 1970’s describes servant leaders as individuals with the natural inclination to serve others. Such people make a conscious choice to lead and serve rather than gain power or material possessions. I also believe the natural inclination to serve as an influential leader and teammate […]
Best Listening Practices for Deeper Connections and Understanding
During my career, I think of times where I would leave a conversation and tell myself, I appreciate the fact they were listening, but I am not sure they really heard me. Again, I appreciated the fact the person showed intent to listen to me, however there were indications and evidence of inattentive understanding as […]
Courage and Vulnerability
It’s Okay to Admit We Don’t Understand, Knowing We Are Trying In a world that often values certainty, expertise, and quick answers, admitting that we don’t understand something can feel daunting. We’re conditioned to think that not knowing is a sign of weakness or incompetence, especially in professional environments. However, this perspective couldn’t be further […]
Embracing Courageous Vulnerability: Encouraging It, Not Discouraging It
As a community of human beings with hearts, minds, and souls, it’s essential to foster an environment where vulnerability is encouraged, not discouraged. By creating a space where our team members feel confident and supported, we help them navigate uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. As authentic servant leaders, we must trust our team’s intentions, show […]
The Amazing Privilege of Authentic Servant Leadership
The opportunity to authentically serve others is an amazing privilege we work to earn. As authentic leaders we are also responsible for taking every opportunity to influence and encourage the personal and business lives of those we serve. It is our moral duty to coach, mentor, and influence the beneficiaries of our leadership intent, to […]
IMPROVE: A Blueprint for Personal and Professional Growth
In the ever-evolving landscape of personal and professional development, the concept of “IMPROVE” serves as a powerful framework to guide individuals toward continuous growth and success. This acronym encapsulates seven essential qualities that, when cultivated, can transform your approach to life and leadership. Let’s delve into each component of IMPROVE and explore how embracing these […]
The Practice of Authentic Tuned in Listening
“There is a big difference between showing interest and really taking interest” – Michael P. Nichols – The Lost Art of Listening Authentic “Tuned In” Listening – Being in search of an authentic mutual understanding and never assuming the interpretations of our conversations are correct. The opposite of Tuned in is Tuned Out – passive, […]
Authentic Servant Mentoring
What is a mentor? Mentorship is a mutually beneficial professional relationship in which an experienced individual (the mentor) imparts knowledge, expertise and wisdom to a less experienced person (the mentee) while simultaneously honing their mentoring skills. An effective mentor can guide the mentee professionally while maintaining a friendly and supportive relationship. A mentor should always […]
The Essence of Unassuming Authenticity
“Engage the heart and challenge the mind “MB When we are doing the work to engage our hearts on the inside, we are also doing the work in service of those who are the beneficiaries of our work on the outside! They are the beneficiaries of our authenticity. They are the beneficiaries of our honesty, […]
New book “Hardwired to the Heart” by Mike Barnes is released, a powerful guide for developing authentic servant leadership through conscientious action and vulnerable courage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New book “Hardwired to the Heart” by Mike Barnes is released, a powerful guide for developing authentic servant leadership through conscientious action and vulnerable courage “Hardwired to the Heart” by Mike Barnes has been released worldwide. This 162-page guidebook, which has achieved Amazon Bestseller status as #1 New Release and #12 Bestseller […]