The Meaning of the Compound Word “Servant-Leader” 
Dr. Kent M. Keith, CEO, Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership

The term “servant-leader” was coined by Robert Greenleaf in his classic essay, “The Servant as Leader,” that he first published in 1970. That essay launched the modern servant leadership movement. I have met many people who struggle with the meaning of “servant-leader.”  Some think you can’t be a servant and a leader because those are two separate and opposite things that logically can’t be combined. I call this the “irreconcilable opposites” idea of servant leadership. If you think that a servant is fawning and compliant, and you think that a leader is powerful and commanding, then indeed the words will seem to be opposites that can’t be joined. That may lead to a discussion of how the joining of opposites is more often seen in Eastern philosophies than in Western thought. Some people get around this apparent problem by...read full article

Trainer's Toolchest's release of Servant Leadership, the video program, helps move your organization's servant leaders in waiting beyond the idea of "separate and opposite" functions of leadership. The Latin root of the word "Hero" also means Servant. Heroes become heroes by serving others. 

Rosabeth Moss Kanter: Lifetime Achievement 2012 Pinnacle Awards Honoree

Congratulations to our author-partner, Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter, upon her recent receipt of the Lifetime Achievement Award by The Greater Boston Chamber Women's Network. Her work as an outstanding female professional was recognized and honored as part of the 2012 Pinnacle Awards.

We're honored to distribute Dr. Rosabeth Moss Kanter's classic video program A Tale of O: On Being Different. Written and narrated by Professor Kanter with Dr. Barry Stein.  The animated A Tale of O clarifies and explores the personal and societal dynamic so being different. Congratulations Rosabeth!

An Author's Review of Anyone Can Be An Ally

BOLD LEADERS SPEAK UP: Anyone Can Be An Ally

When gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people don’t feel safe and valued at work, productivity goes down, and organizations fail in their efforts to attract and retain the best and brightest talent. Many organizations realize this, and have created clear policies on the issues. But in order for the climate to change, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people need allies to speak up.
This is a very thoughtful, balanced resource that merits much attention…  an important film on an issue so few of us understand how to address in the work environment. It is one thing to have a skill set in referencing and working with race or religion. It is quite another challenge to talk about gender and sexual orientation.
I have an obvious personal motivation to be an ally: my twin brother is a gay man. I also know two more things from knowing him. The first is that sexual orientation like gender orientation is not a “preference” or choice. The second is that my brother has been a compassionate, effective and even beloved scholar-teacher at the university where he works – but only because he has been fortunate to find the allies in his work community that have supported him in being wholly himself.
My professional motivation in commending Brian McNaught’s film is that I recognize, despite my personal commitment, I know that I have a lot to learn about how to be a skillful and effective ally. This film would be helpful to any one who wants to help create a work environment where every employee can flourish because they do not have to expend the energy trying to maintain a firewall between their family/personal lives and their professional lives. These are things that those of us who are heterosexual simply do not have to worry about.
Look at this video. Celebrate what everyone, when respected, can bring to your world.   

By Eileen McDargh, 

author Gifts from the Mountain - Simple Truths for Life's Complexities.

Ready for a look? View online at Trainer's Toolchest