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| Okay, so it's a rear view! |
Here's What I Know...
- Servant Leadership is learned by doing
- Service begins with inner character; humility, reflection, and growth.
- Relationships matters more than control
- Growth comes thorugh failure, resilience, and reflection
1) I have written often about young staff memebrs who arrive at cam pwith enthusiasm, trainin notes, and leadership language. It's in the unplanned moments that actually shape them.
It's in the moments when a leader sets down the rulebook, sists on the gorund next to a camper, or quietly taeks over a task without being asked.
In reflection I note that no leadership manual prepared them for that moment but the moment prepred them for leadership.
While training, orientation, and rile play are vitsal, Leadership is forged in real responsibility. The experience is the curriculum.
2) Leaders (and myself, a lot) have entered situations and convinced ourselves that we were right to enforce a rule, correct a behavior, or ove a plan forward. And then, we (I) have that relaization that the issue wasn't the camper or the staff..the issue was the leader's need to be right or win.
There are those turning points during a late-night talk, a post-program debrief, or even a quiet hike in camp, where as a leader you recognize that humility would have served better than authority.
Servant leadership starts inside. If the leader doesn't do the inner work, no amount of skill or or position will either.
3) I often have said, that there is a reason for the rules. It is a foundation for the opportunity to connect. And that matters more. A camper may break a rule and the easy response is discipline. Instead, the servant leader listens, learns what's underneath, and chooses reationships over reaction.
Once trust is built, behvior changes naturally. The camper (or team member) listens. A culture shifts. A Staff member steps up, not because of enforcement, but because of belonging.
People don't change because they are managed well. People change because they feel seen, known, and valued.
4) Having a great summer because of a plan and schedule on paper looks great and then fails in practice. I have had my share of those. A season that felt heavier or an activity that failed or a leadership decision that backfired.
I have learned and gained from those the most. It was the late night convesations to adjust. The grace given. A relaization that leadership maturty came not from success, but from staying present after disappointment.
Resilience, not eprfection, is the hallmark of a servant leader. Relfection turns failure into wisdom.
These four lessons are not reserved just for 2025, they have been part of the last 25 years or more. In 2025, I have had them reinforced through my work at camp, church, communtiy and most of all my friends and family.
As my friend Vince C. says, "ONWARD!"
And Happy New Year!
For a copy of my Number 1 selling book, “Serving From The Heart,” visit: https://clpli.com/al_ferreira
Or some leadership SWAG consider visitng my ETSY store: alfatcamp.etsy
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