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Today I took the afternoon off to focus on my writing. For me, ImagineCreateServe was always intended to be far more than a portfolio of my artifacts from Graduate School. It was intended to serve a purpose. ImagineCreateServe highlights my way of being in the world and serves as an artifact to capture the Servant leader I hope to become. I knew when I was tasked with this Capstone Project, my creation had to be intentional. I had to bring with me all the luggage I had packed for this lifelong journey and intentionally and systematically unpack each bag. Parker Palmer’s book The Courage to Teach, speaks to how intentionality begins with oneself. The foundation of my leadership philosophy is awareness. As an extrovert by nature, I gain energy from the world around me. In many ways I am in a field of work that ties directly to my inherent nature to form connections with the world around me. Interestingly enough, I need silence. I need time for reflection. Most importantly, I’ve found this time imperative to draw out my greater sense of purpose in the world: to serve others.

Palmer (1997) writes, “By spiritual I mean the diverse ways we answer the heart’s longing to be connected with the largeness of life” (p. 5). My Graduate School experience has made me realize the power of intellectual, emotional, and spiritual connection in leadership. ImagineCreateServe serves the purpose of capturing these connections and has allowed me to connect with the largeness of life I strive for each day. Thompson (2000) writes, “The process of uncovering meaning in our lives is both personal and internal… Meaningfulness is in the eye-or more accurately the heart- of the beholder” (p. 51). Servant leaders evoke a sense of purpose and meaning in others through creating a space for others to share their desires. Servant leaders listen from their heart and inspire others to live congruently. Servant leaders recognize, as Thompson (2000) writes, “that what is needed is a new understanding of spirituality and work that shows the natural connection between the two and connects both to the deep human longing for meaning and purpose” (p. 7). My purpose is to serve others as a mentor, coach, and colleague and to bring heart to every situation I face. It is my hope that through Servant leadership I will empower and inspire others to live rich and fulfilling lives. Ultimately, I hope that my way of being inspires others to be the Servant leaders of tomorrow.

Food for Thought:

1. What’s your life’s purpose?
2. What’s your process for uncovering meaning in your life?
3. How do you intentionally “un-pack” your baggage?