Message from Mike – Fall/Winter 2019

 

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Recently I was asked by an interviewer to describe my leadership style. I eagerly took the opportunity to discuss one of my favorite subjects – servant leadership. While the concept of leader as servant is timeless, the term “servant leadership” was coined by Robert Greenleaf in 1970. Early in my career, I was fortunate to become exposed to, and to adopt, the tenets of servant leadership.

The most effective leaders do not see themselves atop a pyramid, issuing directions to those below. Rather, true leaders see an inverted pyramid, understanding that their role is to support, nurture and ensure the success of those above them.

Servant leadership is an essential ingredient to the success of the extended Thrive community. The principles of servant leadership are taught and reinforced at all levels within Thrive, notably including LEAD, our groundbreaking leadership development initiative for young people living with intellectual disabilities.
Here at Thrive, we are humbled by the opportunity to nurture tomorrow’s leaders of all abilities. Every day presents new opportunities to lead by placing ourselves at the service of others.
What will you do today to lead and to serve?

Warm regards,

Michael Rodrigues,
President and CEO