Servant Leadership: Bringing Value and Building Lasting Relationships

Dear Valued Subscribers,

Welcome to this week's edition of "Growing Your Business with People," where we talk about actionable strategies to help you leverage your greatest asset—your people. This week, we had the pleasure of speaking with Steve Ramona, CEO and podcast host of "Doing Business with a Servant's Heart." Steve's career is as diverse as it is inspiring, spanning industries like health and fitness, restaurants, recycling, and network marketing. But at the core of it all, Steve emphasizes one key principle: servant leadership.

In This Episode:

In a conversation full of wisdom and practical insights, Steve shares his journey into value-based leadership and how cultivating meaningful relationships has been the cornerstone of his success. From learning life-changing financial lessons in a gym to applying the principles of servant leadership to build sustainable businesses, Steve opens up about the importance of nurturing trust and authenticity in every interaction.

Here are some of the powerful takeaways from this episode:

Key Insights:

1. Adopt a Servant Leadership Mindset: The best leaders are those who serve their teams, clients, and communities first. Steve explains how focusing on mentoring others and adding value beyond transactional relationships leads to authentic connections and long-term success.
2. Network Through Value: Building strong relationships isn’t about what you can gain—it’s about what you can give. Steve talks about asking insightful questions, actively listening, and offering value in every interaction, which fosters trust and collaboration.
3. Personal Transformation Stories Matter: Stories of personal growth and transformation resonate deeply and can inspire teams. Steve shares how his own experiences shape his leadership style, demonstrating the real-world application of these principles.
4. Patience and Persistence Pay Off: Authentic relationships don’t happen overnight. Steve highlights the importance of consistency, patience, and the power of showing up for others over time.
5. Continuous Improvement: Strive for 1% growth every day. Whether it's meeting new people, learning a new skill, or deepening an existing relationship, Steve advocates for constant, incremental improvement.

Notable Quotes from the Episode:

• "Ask a question and shut up. But listen." – Steve Ramona
• "You don't need to make money off everybody, but you can serve everybody." – Steve Ramona
• "Remember, we're all on the same team. You know, we’re not competing against each other here." – Jeff Lackey
• "The more value you bring, you start to put in that deposit in that bank." – Steve Ramona

Books and Resources Mentioned:

• "Dare to Serve" by Cheryl Bachelder
• "The Wealthy Barber" by David Chilton
• "The Go-Giver" by Bob Burg and John David Mann
• "The Trillion Dollar Coach" by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle

Listen to the Episode:

Tune in to hear Steve Ramona's full discussion with Jeff Lackey on how servant leadership and value-based networking can transform your business. If you’re looking to create deeper, more authentic relationships and drive sustainable growth, this episode is a must-listen.

New episodes of “Growing Your Business with People” are available every Tuesday. Don’t miss out on strategies to help you grow your business by investing in your greatest resource—people.