As the holiday season approaches, it’s natural to think about community. Food drives, volunteer events, and fundraisers remind us of how good it feels to give back. But what happens when the decorations come down and life resumes its usual rhythm?
True community—and true servant leadership—endures long after the holidays.
At WISL, we believe building community isn’t a seasonal activity. It’s a daily practice of connection, humility, and stewardship. As one of the core characteristics that Robert Greenleaf created of servant leadership, “building community” reminds us that leadership begins with connection (Spears, 2005; Greenleaf, 1970). In the sections ahead, we’ll look at why it’s essential to the servant-leader mindset.
Moving from Moments of Service to a Lifestyle of Service
As Gene Wright reminded us in Community Service Helps, Servant Leadership Heals, service and servant leadership are deeply connected, but not the same thing. Community service is an act. Servant leadership is a way of being.
Volunteering meets immediate needs, but the servant-leader mindset transforms systems, relationships, and culture over time. It asks us to live with empathy, listen deeply, and create space for others to grow (Spears, 2005; Greenleaf, 1970).
When we carry that spirit beyond the holidays, service becomes less about fixing immediate problems and more about fostering long-term belonging.
The Servant-Leader’s Approach to Community
Building community beyond the holidays starts with intention. Servant leaders create environments where service is woven into the fabric of everyday life.
Here are a few ways to practice that year-round:
- Listen before leading. Ask, “What does my community need most?” and be willing to be surprised by the answers before offering a response.
- Foster belonging. Create circles of inclusion: at work, in neighborhoods, and in volunteer spaces, where every voice matters.
- Serve through your strengths. Not all service looks the same. Some give time, others share expertise, and others encourage. Every act counts–big or small.
- Reflect and renew. Pause and take a moment to reconnect with your “why.” True service flows from purpose, not obligation.
- Model consistency. Just as generosity doesn’t belong to one season, neither does leadership. Live your values when it’s quiet, not just when it’s celebrated.
There are endless ways to practice a servant leader mindset in your daily life.
Lessons from Servant-Leaders Among Us
You don’t need a certification to be a servant-leader. Across Wisconsin, leaders are modeling humility, authenticity, and purpose in action every day.
If you want to see what servant leadership looks like in practice, explore our Milwaukee City Wide Recordings. These video resources highlight conversations and stories from local servant leaders who are transforming workplaces, communities, and institutions through service and connection.
Looking for more connections with other servant leaders in Wisconsin? That is why WISL is here.
A Thriving Community of Servant-Leaders
Communities thrive when leadership is measured not by control, but by connection.
As Robert K. Greenleaf wrote, the real test of a servant leader is whether “those served grow as persons.” The same can be said of communities. Do our communities grow more compassionate, resilient, and connected because of how we show up?
That’s the calling of servant leadership beyond the holidays: to build a world where service is a habit, gratitude is a language, and community is a way of life.
Take the next steps in your servant leadership journey:
- Join a Roundtable Discussion to share experiences and explore these ideas with peers.
- Attend a City Wide Event to hear from inspiring servant leaders in our community.
- Sign up for our Newsletter to stay informed about other opportunities.
We look forward to connecting with you!
References
Robert Greenleaf on Servant-Leadership. (n.d.). Gonzaga University. https://www.gonzaga.edu/news-events/stories/2023/9/26/robert-greenleaf-servant-leadership
Spears, L. C. & The Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership. (2005). The understanding and practice of Servant-Leadership. In the School of Leadership Studies, Regent University, Servant Leadership Research Roundtable. https://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/sl_proceedings/2005/spears_practice.pdf
Wisl. (2025a, September 9). Community service helps, servant leadership heals. Wisconsin Servant Leadership. https://wisconsinservantleadership.org/community-service-helps-servant-leadership-heals-differences/
Wisl. (2025b, September 9). Why humility is a superpower for modern leaders. Wisconsin Servant Leadership. https://wisconsinservantleadership.org/why-humility-is-a-superpower-for-modern-leaders/