One Servant Leader's Legacy - Many Will Follow

Upon learning of a friend's death, I will take pause to lift up in prayer the departed and surviving family members. Then, in the midst of my prayers, thoughts and emotions - memories emerge. I will take time to reflect and celebrate how this person's life has made a difference and the legacy their life will represent for generations to come.

In those moments, I ponder through a tsunami of thoughts and emotions that converge to create a state of mind which "overwhelms and satisfies my soul."* There are moments of sadness and grief that can overwhelm the senses for the loss of one's physical presence, yet in the same moment other thoughts transcend into a sense of satisfaction, awe and gratefulness for the blessings and life lessons learned which can be attributed to the recently departed.

Albert W. Seiter, Jr.

Al Seiter, husband to Lu Seiter, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend, mentor to many and servant leader, recently passed away. Al and Lu are founding members of Bethany UMC in Austin, Texas. Countless lives have been impacted and will be for generations to come by Al and Lu's actions to establish a United Methodist Church in Northwest Austin 37 years ago.

Al and his band of brothers and sisters brought forth a place full of love, embraced by the Holy Spirit, to create a refuge from the daily grind of the world. For more than thirty-seven years individuals and families have found love, comfort and healing at Bethany. Cindy and I and our sons are one of those families.

Servant Leaders Grow Others

Al exemplifies the definition of servant leader by the numbers of people who have grown personally and spiritually, but Al's actions go a step further. Al and Lu attracted many other servant-minded followers and leaders. I blogged about one of those leaders, John Griffith, on Veterans Day 2012. John and Al were best friends and I am thankful for how they taught me what makes a successful church family retreat, so people experience God's love. It takes big hearts, many constantly moving hands and feet and lots of really good food. More importantly, over the years, I experienced these men living and leading this way in all aspects of their lives and activities.

Even before Bethany began worship services in a local school, a small group of individuals canvassed the neighborhoods to find out who were Methodists and would be interested in attending a new church. What is unique about this canvassing project is the information was collected on index cards and shared with other denominations, which led to the planting of five other churches in the growing Northwest Austin neighborhoods. To this day, Bethany's leadership continues to reach out to other church leaders in a sense of unity in the community. It's about the Kingdom, not individual denominations.

Bethany's foundation was infused with servant-mindedness, from the very beginning, and when the cornerstone of Christ was laid upon that foundation built by the founding members, a healthy and blessed spiritual community emerged. This community now continues to impact lives throughout the Austin community, Texas and the world.

Servant Leaders Band Together With Other Servant Leaders

While many churches will measure their impact based upon measuring the numbers of people who attend worship - it is in this sense of servant leadership that Bethany extends their metrics to include how those attending Bethany impact others in their homes, neighborhoods, workplace, schools, community and the world. The encouragement is to be servant-minded in all you do with all the people you can, in all the ways you can and in all the places you can. This way of living and serving is attributed to the legacy of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement.

Al and Lu and their band of brothers and sisters exemplified Wesley's legacy. Many recall their initial reactions to finding Bethany as it felt like home. It is a place of love, worship, learning, serving and leading - all you would want to be in your home. And today, it is apparent based upon the level of activity, changed lives and spiritual transformations at Bethany - the same sense of servant leadership has been infused into the DNA of Bethany.

Thank you Al, Lu, all founding members and all who have followed in the steps of Al's servant-minded leadership. For many generations to come, lives will continue to find love, comfort and refuge at Bethany, but more importantly they will Experience God's Love, Know Jesus Christ, And Grow In His Image.** In the midst of this experience, people will be inspired to servant-minded leadership and make a difference in ways only dreamed and envisioned by Bethany's Founders.

In remembrance of Al for being a mentor to me and modeling the better way,

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

* Lyrics from the song "One Thing Remains"

** Bethany's mission statement

America - Greatness In The Making

A young woman, age 18, shares her story to a group of people touring the facilities of the Goodwill of Central Texas. Not a dry eye can be seen among this group of about twenty people.

The young woman is a new employee at Goodwill. She briefly shares her past, that she has a two year old son, and how blessed she is to have brought herself to Goodwill to put her life on a new track. And, how grateful she is for the people who have coached and mentored her to be where she is and for the hope she has of continuing her education to become a paralegal. Goodwill serves and encourages thousands of people like this young woman, every day.

Why Is America The Greatest Country?

The next day, a friend shared a video that challenges a question from another young woman to a panel of people for an answer to the question "Can you say why America is the greatest country in the world?" While all the answers carry some truth with them (and they are actors), the final response gets to the heart of the matter and grabs one's soul with a clear message that the time is now for the People of America to reclaim its greatness. To set aside our fears and embrace what it truly takes for America to once again become that leader in all aspects of humanity, family and community.

Where Do You Stand In Your Community?

I have a unique opportunity to witness this greatness in the making. From the young woman at Goodwill to various other community and church organizations offering a hand up versus a hand out. And, I am blessed to know many successful men and women who have the means and the time to also offer themselves as servants to encourage, coach, mentor, lead and work along side others like the young woman at Goodwill.

In spite of all the negative media, scare tactics of politicians and misguided pundits - there are people in all walks of life, no matter their race, beliefs, points of view or status, who are living and working together in ways that was only a dream a few decades ago. 

While the media pundits parrot meaningless, divisive declarations and politicians rant, rave and blame others - We The People have been pursuing dreams and visions that have created the cornerstone for America to truly become the greatest nation on earth, once again. And, this is not about becoming the greatest. It's more about America being the model for servant leadership to the world.

This is happening deep within our communities. This cannot come from some new or revived government program. Government has its place, but it is not to be the caretaker for all people. Caretakers are for those who cannot care for themselves and those who are dying. Just the word "caretaker" clearly says that one is taking care of another or from this perspective "taking care away" from another. For America to become great again, people must feel and know the dignity of work and making things happen for themselves and others.

When the People thrive, families, schools, places of worship, the workplace and communities thrive. I clearly see and hear how young and old are coming together, setting aside tired, old rhetoric and prejudices in order to participate and work together to make a difference. 

It is happening. Young men and women are listening and hearing the passionate words from the video referenced above. Such impassioned words and the acts of servant leadership they personally witness - give them the hope to believe it is truly possible for them to participate and realize what has been an impossible dream. How are you assisting others to dream and believe in themselves?

I see America's greatness growing by leaps and bounds each day. It is happening through the lives of thousands and thousands of individuals who each day choose to be a better person and pursue a better life for themselves, their families and communities.

Where Are You? Where Do You Want To Be?

Which community do you find yourself and what is your level of collaborative participation?

More about this infographic - Framing Common Sense. (download pdf)

Keep up the great works you are doing,

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

Author of The Faithful Majority: Common Sense Re-Revisited

The Best Way To Become A Sustainable Leader!

Anyone truly serious about becoming a highly capable, sustainable leader can easily find leadership development opportunities in any number of community, school or worship communities. It doesn't make any difference about your age or whether you have ever been in a leadership role or you have years of experience in management and leadership roles. If you genuinely desire to develop your leadership skills, get involved in serving others.

One of my "just curious" questions I ask leaders is to give a quick history of their volunteer service, starting with high school. Those leaders with consistent volunteer service are simply more mature, sustainable, servant-minded leaders. Individuals who get involved in service work in high school and college will have numerous opportunities to experience leading others. They are also the ones who will experience faster personal, professional and leadership growth than their peers in the workplace.

Likewise, for anyone at any age. Even if you didn't take advantage of such opportunities in your early years and you think you have limited opportunities where you work, then today is always a good day to get involved and become a volunteer. Find an organization you can truly believe in their purpose and mission. You will not only experience personal growth, but you will be serving others and making a difference in other people's lives.

If you are older, wiser and more experienced, don't think you should immediately be on the board of directors. Get your hands in the dirt. That means be willing to work alongside others and do whatever is needed, especially the grunt work. Really get to know other people who are serving. The key thing to remember - It's not about you. Be like the Undercover Boss.

Anyone who gets involved and is willing to do whatever is needed will find new doors opening up for them in the workplace. it was three young guys in 1920 who wanted more management responsibility in their respective companies. The opportunities weren't there and changing jobs was not an option, so they began doing service projects in the community. Soon, others joined them, the young men got promotions at work and they created the United States Jaycees. 

I believe the future is one of incredible opportunity as I watch young people today get involved in serving others. It's as if volunteering is genetic for them. Imagine the future our emerging leaders are building!

And, if you are a boomer retiring and looking for something to do and find yourself sometimes complaining about today's youth. Become a volunteer. You will find numerous opportunities for mentoring.

Happy Volunteering and Making A Difference,


~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

Thanks to Karrie, whose post in the LinkedIn Servant Leadership Group inspired this blog!

The Servant Leader Framework Series (A Lasting Legacy)

Several previous blogs have been about building your legacy. This next series of blogs focus on what I believe to be the most rewarding ways to build a sustainable legacy that makes a difference.

Based upon my experience and the numerous leaders I know and have coached, those who truly decide to be authentic servant leaders experience all the best of life and success. Not to say there aren't challenges, setbacks and failures. Bad things do happen to good people. Yet, that's life and if you are truly committed to building a sustainable legacy, becoming a servant-minded leader, in my opinion, is the only way to make it happen.

I've recently begun polishing off a book project I began in 2008, which for a variety of reasons got delayed. Priorities changed pretty quickly when my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, she is incredibly healthy and a three plus year survivor. As we got back into more normal life, in late 2011, I got busy with a couple of authors (one of which is my wife) to publish the first three books of the ZFactor series of books, which we wrote and published in ten months. Now, my five year old book project is calling loudly to be completed.

"The Servant Leader Framework" is actually the foundation for the ZFactor Coaching Methodology used in all ZFactor books. Each book focuses on a specific market niche and each author is an acclaimed industry expert. The premise is simple in the books:

1. Successful people think and act differently.
2. You are what you think. (Thought + Action = Result) Change your mindset, change your life.
3. Thinking is a skill that takes practice and coaching to reveal and release your full potential.
4. When you know who you are, where you are and what to do - you make it happen. (the books reveal a series of defining characteristics of success).
5. A xy graph is utilized as the power tool to accelerate getting focused and staying focused on the right things at the right time with the right people to achieve goals and objectives. 

ZFactor has proven to accelerate performance improvement because people quickly know what thoughts and actions to change to get the results and success they desire. This is based upon several years experience using the ZFactor Coaching Methodology with a variety of professionals, executives, managers and leaders in a various industries and roles.

The Servant Leader Framework is for those individuals in leadership roles and emerging leaders who know they are being called to make a difference and build a lasting legacy. 

Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing parts of the upcoming book and I am always open to any and all comments.

To get the greatest benefit for the time you spend with these blogs, take a look at the xy graph below and ask yourself: Which quadrant best represents who you are as a servant leader?

Then ask yourself these questions:

• What is the defining characteristic, trait or behavior that best defines why you selected the quadrant you did?
• What is one change you can make that will move you from that quadrant to another quadrant?
• When will you make that change?

More to come...

Thanks for reading my various blogs and have a great day!

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

I Say Merry Christmas, What Do You Say?

My amazing wife, Cindy, declared last week, she wants to be more engaging with people relative to the upcoming holiday season. Rather than just say, "Happy Holidays" she wants to be more engaging with people and get to know them better than just responding, "Happy Holidays to You."

You have to know Cindy to understand the way she thinks about other people. First, she really cares about other people and she has a quality about herself that when others are around her, they just love Cindy.

Cindy says to me, "Instead of waiting for others to say, Happy Holidays, I'm going to say - I say +Merry Christmas, what do you say?" Her reasoning is pretty simple. She wants others to know she values being a Christian and does not want to water down her belief because of some political correctness. And, most importantly she wants others to feel comfortable in expressing their personal values, as well. It's about honoring other people and the result is you get to know a little more about them.

With a little thought about this on my part - we live in a vibrant, highly mobile, multi-cultural society. If we truly want world peace for our progeny, we need to be responsible for understanding and getting to know who other people are. If I just say, "Merry Christmas" without offering the option to others to express their belief, I can sound rude and politically incorrect. That behavior does not represent the love of Christ nor does it open the door for any further engaging conversations. If I merely say, "Happy Holidays" that is not expressing who I am. This is obviously the quandary many of us have experienced in these politically correct decades, but then if you know Cindy like I know Cindy, you too will take pause and ponder upon what she says - and, consider what you will say.

So, I tried out Cindy's saying and surprisingly it opened up some interesting discussions that would have never happen if I had blindly said, "Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays." After a couple of times I began to realize that it really is about relationship and honoring the relationships we have with others, especially with those we have just met or know professionally. Yep, I now have to admit to my wife, I'm a little slow and for the first time ever - she has thought of something before me. (and if you believe that, well, I can find the perfect coach for you.)

The responses to me saying, "I say Merry Christmas, what do you say" have typically been a chuckle and then they say, "Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays" and we all go on our merry way. A couple of the responses have been a chuckle and they say, "I'm Jewish and I say Happy Hanukkah." I respond, "Happy Hanukkah." It's about honoring who people are, getting to know them a little better, and since I'm a Christian - being more like Christ.

No matter your background, religion or race, 'tis the season to take a moment and be more loving with others. As I understand it, Jesus was born into a Jewish family and a group of Magi (from Persia - some might say pre-Muslim) came to visit him and present him gifts upon his birth. And, those gifts provided safe passage for Jesus and family to escape the slaughter of the children by King Herod. I'm figuring God has a plan and, in his infinite wisdom, He is giving us time to figure it out.

Be kind and loving to others who think and act differently than you,

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Legacy "To Infinity and Beyond!"

You gotta love the attitude of Buzz Lightyear, an animated robot, obviously without any means of propulsion, yet believes he can fly "to infinity and beyond." This is one of my favorite quotes of which I have many favorite quotes. Sticking with the cartoon theme, I especially like the final cartoon strip of 'Calvin and Hobbes' when Calvin says, "It's a magical world, Hobbes ol' buddy. Let's go exploring!" 

These type of quotes inspire people who seek to live life large and leave a meaningful legacy. I believe these quotes clearly demonstrate how an authentic servant-leader remains focused on the here-and-now with an internal drive to make a difference. Their day-to-day actions to meet people where they are, believe in the magic and mystery of life and love; and serve them in all the ways they can, as long as they can - yet, the infinity of their impact on the lives and situations of others happens long after their deaths. Now that is a meaningful legacy.

My wife, Cindy, and I took a weekend trip with her parents to the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas. It was the perfect Chamber of Commerce weather for strolling along the River Walk, people watching, a little shopping and fine dining. 

As we strolled along we came upon the local Salvation Army band performing at the Arneson Theater along with a men's choir from Houston. This is a unique theater where the audience sits in an amphitheater on one side of the river with the stage on the other side. The band and choir were performing the classic Christian gospel songs and the crowd was toe tapping, hand clapping and children dancing. 

As I scanned the crowd, the love for people and the joy of service exuded from each member of the Salvation Army, as they expressed their love of Christ through their actions, as opposed to words.  As I observed each uniformed member, I envisioned I was watching the Founders of the Salvation Army in action. The lives of William and Catherine Booth are the epitome of servant-leaders captured by an inspiring moment and putting their faith to work to serve others.

Almost 150 years from the founding of the Salvation Army, it is clear how the simple, God inspired lives of the Booths have achieved "to infinity and beyond." I am struck by the magnitude of how one couple's faith-in-action has changed lives and communities, time and again through the lives of millions. Now, that is what makes this planet a truly magical world. People choosing to love and serve others. This is just another experience that confirms my perspective that I've witnessed infinity once again - and this time on the River Walk. Makes me pause and be really curious about what is beyond.

Live the magic of life,

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing