Altruism, Leadership and the Learning Community
Matt’s team of teachers was tired by the time it came to plan the April vacation camp program. Matt knew it would be hard to find volunteers—everyone needed the vacation, themselves. Nonetheless, he put “Staffing for Vacation Camp” on the agenda for their weekly meeting. When this item came up on the agenda, Matt said: “So, is there anyone who wants to work this vacation?”
Matt’s question was greeted by a 10-second eternity of silence. Then Melissa spoke up: “I’ll do Monday.”
Then Mike said: “I’ll do Tuesday,” and in the next minute all the slots were filled.
With a smile on his face and gratitude in his voice Matt said: “What a different kind of union we have created. Thank you.”
When is self-sacrifice self-fulfillment? When Self makes that decision.
A leader gets that kind of decision when he or she has created a team, a community, a band of brothers and sisters. Serving others is the only way to serve self—contrary to common American individualistic culture. Serving self at the expense of others leaves the most critical piece of self in limbo (or worse). When everybody is