The Servant Leader
New Book Features Stories of Servant-Leaders in Communities
Newsletter of the Robert K. Greenleaf Center
Spring, 1998
Stone Soup for the World: Life Changing Stories of Kindness &
Courageous Acts of Service is a newly- published collection of 100
heart-stirring stories of people whose caring and willingness to act
is transforming the world. This book. edited by Marianne Larned and
published by Conari Press. also includes a story by the Greenleaf
Center's CEO. Larry C. Spears. on the interaction between Robert K.
Greenleaf. servant-leadership and TDlndustries.
The stories in Stone Soup for the World show that the problems that
seem so large and overwhelming not only have solutions. but are in fact
an historic opportunity for us to recreate a compassionate basis for
human interaction. There are inspirational stories by or about Nelson Mandela.
Robert K. Greenleaf. Mother Teresa. Edward James Olmos. Jimmy Carter.
Wynton Marsalis and his program Teaching Jazz, Reverend Cecil Williams,
Steven Spielberg, and many more. It profiles dozens of people from all
walks of life, who are investing their hearts and minds in a better,
more compassionate future.
Stone Soup for the World is written in a direct, warm, and personal
style with inspirational stories celebrating those who have laid the
foundation and proved that when each of us gives a little, we can
create a world of plenty for everyone. An extensive resource guide is
included as well as a directory to link readers to a vast array of
community-building organizations.
Stone Soup for the World is a celebration of the service of thousands
of people and a vehicle for inspiring millions more to community service.
"Serve First," is the title of the story on servant-leadership and its
growing impact on the world. It tells the story of how Bob Greenleaf was
first inspired to write about servant-leadership through his reading of
Herman Hesse's Journey to the East; how Greenleafs thinking has helped
to alter the ways in which many people and organizations now approach
management and leadership; and, how one company, TDIndustries, has
successfully practiced servant-leadership for the past 25 years.
TDIndustries, a Dallas-based construction and service company, has been
widely-recognized for its innovative approach. Most recently, Fortune
magazine named TDIndustries as one of the top ten companies to work for
in America.
In "Serve First," Jack Lowe, TDIndustries CEO and board chair of The
Greenleaf Center comments: "Servant-leadership has helped us build a
great company. If you're going to succeed in today's business world,
you've got to have a lot of trust, between employers, employees,
suppliers, and customers. Servant-leadership has helped us build a
trusting culture. and has allowed us to create change, embrace diversity,
enhance quality and integrate technology. It has also gotten us through
some horrible situations."
Inspired by the traditional Stone Soup folktale about a village that
creates a delicious soup from a simple pot of water and a stone, the
book's editor, Marianne Larned has learned that when we all pitch in,
there's enough for everyone. Stone Soup for the World offers people
ideas for simple ways they can make a difference, one day at a time.
Stone Soup for the World will be launched on April 17, 1998 with what
is being called the, "World's Largest Booksigning and Community Service
Sign-up." On that day, in nearly 100 cities across America. there are
planned events that will include booksignings by contributing authors.
And community service projects. Larry Spears will be involved in a
booksigning in Omaha. Nebraska, at the annual conference of the
National Association for Community Leadership, and where the Greenleaf
Center will also conduct a program on servant-leadership and community
leadership.
"Stone Soup for the World is a clear
expression of the growing affinity between the idea of servant-leadership
and its practice by community leaders across the United States and
beyond," said Larry Spears. "This cross-fertilization between
servant-leadership and community leadership represents another growing
edge for the work of The Greenleaf Center."
Stone Soup for the World (paperback, 256 pages) is now available in
book-stores. Copies may also be ordered from The Greenleaf Center.
The cost is $20 ($16 plus $4 shipping-and-handling).
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