--- title: Newton Institute | Serving Leadership description: Serving Leadership | --- [![logo](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/hubfs/NewtonInstitute_Jan2017/Layout/NI-Logo-Horizontal-Solid-Color-web.png)](https://newtoninstitute.com/) - [LEADERSHIP TRAINING](https://newtoninstitute.com/leadership-training) - [KEYNOTES](https://newtoninstitute.com/keynotes) - [BLOG](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com) - [RESOURCES](https://newtoninstitute.com/resources) - [Books](https://newtoninstitute.com/resources#books) - [FREE Downloads](https://newtoninstitute.com/resources#free-downloads) - [ABOUT](https://newtoninstitute.com/about) - [CONTACT](https://newtoninstitute.com/contact) Search ... - [LEADERSHIP TRAINING](https://newtoninstitute.com/leadership-training) - [KEYNOTES](https://newtoninstitute.com/keynotes) - [BLOG](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com) - [RESOURCES](https://newtoninstitute.com/resources) - [Books](https://newtoninstitute.com/resources#books) - [FREE Downloads](https://newtoninstitute.com/resources#free-downloads) - [ABOUT](https://newtoninstitute.com/about) - [CONTACT](https://newtoninstitute.com/contact) # BLOG ## Insights and thought leadership from the team at Newton Institute. ## [Wanted: Serving Leaders in Government](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/wanted-serving-leaders-in-government) Posted by [Rick Newton](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/author/rick-newton) on November 30, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Government_Graphic.jpg)](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/wanted-serving-leaders-in-government) *This month’s entry is a guest post written by Rick Newton. He co-founded the Center for Serving Leadership with John Stahl-Wert in 2015 because of their shared vision and passion of equipping leaders to awaken, align, and achieve Great Purpose.* --- Here in the United States, we have just come through a historic election – unlike one that anyone has ever seen. Don’t worry – I am not going to get into political opinion, but I do want to get into politics – and talk about how Serving Leaders are needed in every facet of society, especially Government. There are many problems with our society, and I trace all of them back to leadership – or to be more precise, a lack of serving leadership. Too often, leaders in government are self-centered, egotistic, and more concerned about staying in power than serving the people they represent. When self-centered leadership is in place, we see the results: name-calling, blame-shifting, miscommunication, no communication, undermining, dysfunction, and an inability and unwillingness to rise above differences to serve the common good. [Read More](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/wanted-serving-leaders-in-government) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/wanted-serving-leaders-in-government#comments-listing) Topics: [5 Actions of a Serving Leader](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/5-actions-of-a-serving-leader), [election](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/election), [government](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/government), [Great Leaders](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/great-leaders), [leadership](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/leadership), [Leadership Development](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/leadership-development), [leadership growth](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/leadership-growth), [Rick Newton](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/rick-newton), [Servant Leaders](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/servant-leaders), [servant leadership](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/servant-leadership), [Serving Leaders](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/serving-leaders), [Serving Leadership](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/serving-leadership), [Newton Institute](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/newton-institute) ## [Common Leadership Challenge #2: Aligning What We Say With What We Do](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/common-leadership-challenge-2-aligning-what-we-say-with-what-we-do) Posted by [John Stahl-Wert](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/author/john-stahl-wert) on October 5, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Lily-pad-drops.jpg)](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/common-leadership-challenge-2-aligning-what-we-say-with-what-we-do) In my [last post](http://johnstahlwert.com/common-leadership-challenge-1-turn-vision-into-reality/), I wrote on the leadership challenge of turning vision into reality, or as some would say, bridging the strategy-execution gap. In this entry, I want to share briefly on how leaders can get what they *say* to line up with what they *do.* In other words, as leaders, how can we fix our misalignments so that everything we’re saying and doing is moving in the same direction? True story: Mr. T.S. Wong, founder of one of the largest toy manufacturers in the world, Jetta, made a decision 38 years ago that he would focus his leadership efforts on aligning what his company said with what they did. None of his contemporaries in the People’s Republic of China in 1977 were thinking this way. “If they promised it,” Mr. Wong said, “They would do it.” He was determined that his company would not represent what they weren’t. If they said it, they would be it. [Read More](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/common-leadership-challenge-2-aligning-what-we-say-with-what-we-do) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/common-leadership-challenge-2-aligning-what-we-say-with-what-we-do#comments-listing) Topics: [Alignment](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/alignment), [Great Leaders](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/great-leaders), [Keys to Leadership](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/keys-to-leadership), [leadership](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/leadership), [Leadership Development](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/leadership-development), [Personal Growth](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/personal-growth), [Say Do Gap](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/say-do-gap), [Serving Leaders](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/serving-leaders), [Serving Leadership](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/serving-leadership), [Serving the World](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/serving-the-world), [Workplace Coaching](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/workplace-coaching), [Newton Institute](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/newton-institute) ## [Why Values Matter in the Workplace](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/why-values-matter-in-the-workplace-2) Posted by [John Stahl-Wert](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/author/john-stahl-wert) on August 4, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Mountain.jpg)](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/why-values-matter-in-the-workplace-2) Values are the foundation of an organization’s culture. Where Great Purpose addresses *why we work*, values guide *how we work*. This guidance will be intentional, or it will be unintentional, because every organization has values. The question is: “Will we choose the values that will guide us, or will we allow ourselves to be pushed around by the riptides of opportunity and crisis?” **Identify and Define Your Values** The enterprise that says – “We don’t waste our time on things like values. We’ve got a business to run!” – is, in reality, showing their underlying values. Examine the pattern of decisions and you’ll know what their “values statement” would say. The business that says it values integrity, but rewards the salesperson bringing in the most business while cutting ethical corners, is displaying its true values. The stated values are not real, of course, but the company still has values. By their fruit, you will know! [Read More](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/why-values-matter-in-the-workplace-2) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/why-values-matter-in-the-workplace-2#comments-listing) Topics: [core values](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/core-values), [corporate culture](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/corporate-culture), [Dr. John Stahl-Wert](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/dr-john-stahl-wert), [employee engagement](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/employee-engagement), [John Stahl-Wert](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/john-stahl-wert), [leadership](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/leadership), [servant leadership](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/servant-leadership), [Serving Leadership](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/serving-leadership), [Values](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/values), [Newton Institute](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/newton-institute) ## [Building on Strength: Why Making Others Stronger Matters in the Workplace](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/building-on-strength-why-making-others-stronger-matters-in-the-workplace) Posted by [John Stahl-Wert](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/author/john-stahl-wert) on July 13, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/purple-flower.jpg)](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/building-on-strength-why-making-others-stronger-matters-in-the-workplace) At the heart of serving leadership is a point of view about the human person, namely, that people are your organization’s greatest treasure. This point of view requires a change in the minds and hearts of leaders who are accustomed to thinking of their people as tools; even our accounting system labels people a “liability” on the balance sheet! The people who work for us are an asset, not a liability, and that is to say the very least. **Explore Each Person’s Strengths** In an [earlier post](http://johnstahlwert.com/upending-the-pyramid-why-serving-others-matters-in-the-workplace), we emphasized the importance of getting to know each of your team members so that you can better serve them. One of the most important areas of knowledge about a person is knowledge about that person’s strengths. Strengths are those tasks that the person performs well and, importantly, loves doing. Both criteria—capability and passion—must be present to call something a strength. [Read More](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/building-on-strength-why-making-others-stronger-matters-in-the-workplace) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/building-on-strength-why-making-others-stronger-matters-in-the-workplace#comments-listing) Topics: [build on strength](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/build-on-strength), [build up others](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/build-up-others), [Corporate Coach](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/corporate-coach), [leadership](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/leadership), [Leadership Development](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/leadership-development), [Serving Leaders](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/serving-leaders), [Serving Leadership](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/serving-leadership), [Serving the World](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/serving-the-world), [workforce strength](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/workforce-strength), [Newton Institute](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/newton-institute) ## [Raise Vision High and Run with Great Purpose](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/raise-vision-high-and-run-with-great-purpose) Posted by [John Stahl-Wert](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/author/john-stahl-wert) on December 9, 2015 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Vision.jpg)](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/raise-vision-high-and-run-with-great-purpose) A common myth about leadership is that a leader is responsible to “establish a compelling vision.” This is just not true. Many leaders step into an organization that already *has* a great vision, and they should *not* try to prove that they are a leader by cooking up some new vision. **Raise High the Vision** It *is* the leader’s job to make sure everyone understands *why* the business exists. Leaders aren’t required to come up with a great vision, but they are required to *serve* a great vision. Leaders who do not raise high a great purpose are throttling the contributions of the people who work for them. Human beings desire purpose. An organization’s vision must provide a compelling and noble reason for employees to care. Leaders must raise vision high enough for everyone to have a direct sight line to it. Obviously, this demands that leaders communicate what the vision is—which we call Great Purpose. However, people respond to leaders' actions more than to their words. Leaders must demonstrate the Great Purpose. This work not only includes communicating the vision to new employees, but also daily actions needed to reinforce the importance of the vision. Great organizations are successful at getting their people to own the vision. As this happens, employees become more engaged and committed to doing their part to serve the Great Purpose. [Read More](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/raise-vision-high-and-run-with-great-purpose) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/raise-vision-high-and-run-with-great-purpose#comments-listing) Topics: [Connect Vision](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/connect-vision), [Corporate Vision](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/corporate-vision), [Dr. John Stahl-Wert](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/dr-john-stahl-wert), [John Stahl-Wert](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/john-stahl-wert), [leadership](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/leadership), [Leadership Development](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/leadership-development), [Purpose](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/purpose), [purpose statement](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/purpose-statement), [servant leadership](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/servant-leadership), [Serving Leadership](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/serving-leadership), [Serving the World](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/serving-the-world), [the Serving Leader](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/the-serving-leader), [Values](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/values), [Newton Institute](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/topic/newton-institute) [All posts](https://blog.newtoninstitute.com/all) ### Subscribe to the Newton Institute Blog ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - 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