Summer is a seemingly magical time, full of spontaneous activities, sunshine and the freedom to play and have fun.

Kids dream of summer vacation and the endless possibilities!

Yet as an adult, is summer the same as it was when we were kids? When was the last time you felt like summer was a time for renewal and joy? 

“Most of us don’t trust play and renewal as an important resource for balance, personal energy, and visionary leadership.” ~ Ann McGee-Cooper

In July’s Servant Leadership Community of Practice, Christa Williams discussed the importance of play and renewal for accessing the energy and creativity required to be a good servant-leader using the teachings of Ann McGee-Cooper.

Try this personal reflection activity

Take a moment to reflect on your memories as a kid. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. What did you love to do as a kid?
2. What is a fun or favorite memory you have from childhood?

Give yourself 1 minute to journal or quietly reflect on a fun and/or favorite memory.

A little bit about Ann McGee-Cooper

Ann was mentored by Robert K. Greenleaf, co-author of a number of books, servant leadership scholar, and mentor to many during her lifetime.

“Love life, love your people.” ~ Ann McGee-Cooper

She studied ways to use our whole-brain to access energy and creativity – which she called kidspirit.

To maintain the enthusiasm, stamina, and patience required of a servant-leader, it requires an abundance of energy.  

The Passion & Heart to Serve

“The servant-leader is servant first…It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. He [or she] is sharply different from the leader first.” ~ Robert K. Greenleaf

We’re reminded that to be a servant-leader, it starts with an enthusiasm and commitment to serve and support others.

But the desire to serve (alongside our leadership responsibilities) can lead to masking the fatigue we might have. 

Protect your passion & heart to serve! Otherwise it may lead to…

Burnout:

• Occurs at any time to anyone. 
• Feels like: tiredness, loss of motivation, guilt.
• Saps our energy and enthusiasm for LIFE!

What are some of the burnout symptoms you’ve noticed in yourself or others?

• Lack of… (sleep, appetite, patience, etc.)
• I don’t wanna… (go to work, see those people, do that project, etc.)

Leadership/Work Burnout – Truths or Myths

Use these T/F statements to answer this question:

Does burnout affect our ability to be a good servant-leader?

People who are deeply committed to their work are not at high-risk for burnout.

• FALSE – They’re probably more at risk!

Burnout is highly contagious.

• TRUE – A leader in burnout will push their team into burnout if they don’t recognize the symptoms.

You can be in burnout so long that it can begin to feel like a normal way of living.

• TRUE – This is a very dangerous place for leaders to be as it leaves little time for healthy living or relationships.

Burnout cannot happen in the short-term. It is primarily the result of extended exposure to stress.

• FALSE – It can happen at any time, even after just one bad day.

Burnout is an emotional state and physical symptoms are psychosomatic.

• FALSE – Physical symptoms are real (migraines, elevated blood pressure, etc.)

As you can see, burnout DOES affect our ability to be a good servant-leader.

So how do we get out of the burnout slump and find renewal and JOY in work and serving again?

The Importance of Kidspirit for Leaders

Ann’s definition of kidspirit is simple = child-like play

One of the ways we can learn more about how to reap renewing energy from play is to observe kids:

1. Playing just for fun.
2. Changing to another activity any time.
3. Resting when feel tired.
4. All feelings can be expressed.

Child-like does not mean childish. Childishness ignores the affects you are having on other people.

It is important to keep our adult responsibility intact while enjoying the benefits of child-like play.  

Take More Joy Breaks

When you get joy-starved, your brain starts procrastinating, rationalizing, going off on tangents, and doing anything EXCEPT following the plans you have created. 

Take a joy break! 

Here are some examples our attendees came up with:

5 Minutes

• Dance break
• Deep breathing
• Stretch
• Watch a funny video

30 Minutes

• Phone a friend
• Walk outside
• Take a power nap

2 Hours

• Read a chapter of a book
• Write and send a thank-you note to a friend or family member
• Make a nice meal

Half-Day

• Visit a loved one
• Take a scenic drive
• Unplug from technology

What are some joy breaks you like to do?

Keep a list of activities you enjoy within arms reach for you to turn to when you notice burnout or are feeling joy-starved.

Important reminders for servant-leaders: 

1. Take time for yourself (self-care, exercise, rest, etc.)
2. Find ways to connect with others.
3. Access your kidspirit!

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What have you learned from this blog? Contact us and let us know!

Don’t miss your opportunity to join our next conversation! Community Practice sessions are amazing opportunities for any and all leaders to gather and learn from one another in a supportive, comfortable environment, right from your computer. August’s Community of Practice topic is “S=S (Serving equals Serving).”

Additional Resources:

1. Book: You Don’t Have To Go Home From Work Exhausted! – Ann McGee-Cooper & Duane Trammell
2. Videos: Ann McGee-Cooper Video Library
3. Article: Learning To Enjoy Abundant Play

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This blog post wraps up July 2023’s Community of Practice event. To join us during the live discussion for future months, register at https://www.sophiapartners.org/events/. Community of Practice occurs the fourth Tuesday of each month from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CT.