4 Pillars of Community Service

 "Servant leadership is all about making the goals clear and then rolling your sleeves up and doing whatever it takes to help people win. In that situation, they don't work for you; you work for them."

-Ken Blanchard

1.  Knowledge: Take the time to research basic facts about the project you are involved in.  Make a list of the key players and experts in the field.  Take the time to understand the challenges that surround the main issue.  This will equip you with the information you need to be a better advocate or volunteer for the cause that you are involved in.  It will allow you to assess your ability and capacity to get involved.  Community work is rewarding and fulfilling but it can also feel emotionally draining and mentally exhausting if you are directly impacted by the issue.  Do not allow the issue to consume your life or become so emotionally attached that you are unable to think clearly and objectively or be impartial.  Pace yourself while you research and gather the facts. Do not try to be the expert or learn everything but stay up to date.  Knowing the issue qualifies you to provide your insight and decide how you can be most effective.

 2.      Dedication: It is important to remain committed and learn how to navigate obstacles.  Creating the change we wish to see in our world, does not come without push back.  Not everyone will agree with you or share the same perspective.  There will be doubters, trolls online, and people who will challenge you.  There might also be systemic barriers or laws that make it difficult to create positive change. Community work requires unwavering dedication and a team that shares the same dedication.  The more people that are dedicated to one cause is the more you can amplify your cause.  Dedication fuels momentum and can inspire others to join your cause.

  3.      Empathy:  The ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes will help you to see things from their perspective. It removes judgments and misguided assumptions.  Empathy is where you will develop compassion for the people you serve and gives you the motivation to keep pushing your cause forward. It allows you to serve the community from a genuine and selfless place.  Empathy sparks ideas for practical solutions and can help you to see the bigger picture.  Whether you want to give back by volunteering your time, donating money, get involved in causes you sincerely care about. 

 4.      Servant Leadership: This type of leadership has been clearly demonstrated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who believed that “everyone can lead because anyone can serve.”  This comes from having a deep sense of compassion, and social awareness. It means to have a deep desire to make the world just and equal.  It means to be sensitive to injustices such as social, economic, health, or environmental inequities.  It is the ability to roll your sleeves up to get the job done.  It means to replace ego with humility. Taking the initiative to help others, even when it is challenging or unpopular.

These 4 pillars are common within many global movements and charitable causes.  I have been volunteering for various community initiatives for most of my life.  Each time I volunteer, these 4 pillars serve as my guiding principles.  When I reflect on these pillars, it reminds me of why I initially got involved giving back to the community. Being connected to a cause greater than yourself gives you purpose and allows you to add value to society.  Serving the community can be emotionally and physically draining, especially if you are directly impacted by the cause you are involved in.  It is important that know your limit and are aware of what you can handle.  Be aware of how much can you get involved and do not over commit or extend yourself.  Always practice self-care to avoid burn out.  Surround yourself with a strong support system and people are genuine, humble, honest, and passionate.   Do not hesitate to delegate tasks or ask for help.  Have a teamwork mindset and be selfless with your giving.  Reflect on this ancient proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together.”

By Stacey Ann Berry, Author & Speaker

Stand Out From The Crowd Through Empathetic Marketing

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."- Mya Angelou

According to Dr. Mark Ingwer, the author of Empathetic Marketing, understanding consumers’ core emotional needs will help you grow your business and develop loyal customers.  Empathetic marketing means to make your clients feel like they are worth more than a dollar sign. It also means you are willing to go the extra mile, even when it is not necessary.  If you want to become an empathetic marketer, it requires you to demonstrate your ability to build an emotional connection with your clients and show them that you care. As a result, your clients will feel like you value them as individuals, as well as, the relationship you developed with them.

Gary Vaynerchuk has a powerful story about empathetic marketing, which inspired me to write this article.  For Gary, "the best marketing strategy" is to care. Gary shared a story about how it took him 2.5hrs, during a snowstorm, to deliver a package for a customer that was worth $45.00 while his company was making about $40,000 an hour. Although the customer did not express appreciation for his extra efforts, this experience helped his company establish its competitive edge.  According to Gary,  “when you give more than you take, you have leverage for life.” When you invest so much in others, you can expect to get more than what you want when you need it.  In business, you will get what you put in.  Sowing good seeds as an entrepreneur will eventually bring you dividends. 

Be willing to go the extra mile whether or not you will receive a return on your investment.  Do the right thing when no one is watching.  Be kind when it is difficult.  This is how you build a solid reputation for your business and strengthen your brand.   When your clients know that you care, they are usually eager to do repeat business with you or will recommend new clients. 

My beloved and late mother, who passed away in 2016, was the queen of empathetic marketing.  She truly understood the power of investing in people. As an innate nurturer with a heart of gold, who was the CEO of a tutoring business, she consistently showered her clients with advice, compassion, and empathy. As a result, her business grew based on referrals, not traditional marketing or advertising.  She also produced excellent results for her clients and built a solid reputation.  My mother had a loyal clientele that most entrepreneurs crave.

In a society where there are so many people who care about themselves and how they can use others to get ahead, it is very refreshing to find an entrepreneur whose mission is to help others with no expectations of making a sale. People love to feel validated and appreciated. When your clients know you appreciate them, you will certainly generate repeat business.  A great product or service speaks volumes, whether or not the person behind it has empathy, but entrepreneurs with big hearts are trendsetters and legacy makers! 

People are inspired by business leaders who are courageous and compassionate.  The world is waiting for entrepreneurs who have "heart" and are not caught up in solely making profits. The most successful entrepreneurs solve a problem, fill a void in the market place, or produce a product that everyday people need.   

Empathetic marketing has to be done with balance. It is important to be mindful of people who do not value your business or respect your worth. This can make you vulnerable to those who will consciously or unconsciously take advantage of you. Protect your brand and be selective about who you do business with.  If you view kindness as a strength and not a weakness,  you will keep pushing forward in spite of a bad client or business deal that went wrong.  Mistakes and bad experiences are unavoidable but if you are determined to grow your business, you will overcome common challenges that many entrepreneurs are bound to face.

As long as you maintain a strong work ethic, committed to integrity, compassion, and consistency,  people will be eager to do business with you. When your product or service is high quality and you have the right business systems in place, making a profit is inevitable! If you desire to make a difference or leave a legacy, consider using empathetic marketing.

By: Stacey Ann Berry, Founder, Author & Speaker