Servant Leadership Creates Joy on the Journey
LisaMarie • April 13, 2020
My business turns 15 in 2020.
15 years.
During that time, I’ve been fortunate to break bread with some of the smartest, wisest, most influential leaders on the planet.
Earlier this month, I masterminded with someone I’m honored to call my friend who is considered one of the pioneers in the transformational leadership industry.
Together we peeled back layers of what could be getting in the way of us each doing our greatest work.
Watching her do her own work as she stands at the top of the mountain is inspiring.
I’ve heard many colleagues who speak about the massive successes of friends in the industry attributing it to their willingness to work long hours, persist against all odds, or be effective in their business strategy, systems, and processes that got them to where they are.
Actually, the reasons for their success are none of that.
It’s not even their ability to speak brilliantly on stages around the world or navigate videos on social media.
Their secret is their willingness to do their own forgiveness work while dancing in their own discomfort, possessing immense humility, and being grateful for the challenges and the opportunities.
When you’re willing to humbly serve, you discover the perfection in the imperfection. And the courage to live in it.
Doors open in another plane of consciousness. This openness creates possibilities that aren’t available to just anyone.
This purity of heart means being committed, yet unattached, serving those you’re called to serve regardless of your past, your background or what you do.
This is where joy on the journey comes from.
In the morning, ask yourself how you can be of service to make a bigger positive difference on the planet.
Stay humble regardless of the challenges or successes on your journey. Each step is small and has value.
As you exercise patience, you’ll find that service with a grateful heart creates more than grumbling about your circumstances ever will.
Surround yourself with brilliance, people that lift you and inspire you to be your best self. Be someone who brings together amazing people. (I do this every year at my annual Design Your Destiny Live Leadership and Change Agent Course.))
15 years has gone by fast.
I never could have imagined that I’d get to serve in the manner I’ve been called.
I could not have imagined the opportunities that are presented to me every day.
And, I certainly could not have known this awkward kid from Allentown, Pennsylvania would have crazy-brilliant influential friends and clients.
Yet, here I stand.
ACTION:The Upside Challenge of the week is to practice.
Practice asking each morning how you can serve today.
Listen to what comes up from you in this practice.
Make a record of what you do in response to that listening. Share it with someone.
And, I’d love to hear…
The world needs you and your brilliance.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
March 16, 2026
What would happen if your vision, your wildest desire, became fulfilled? Then what? What if you were as successful, as impactful as your soul is nudging you to be? What if? Most folks never give themselves permission to answer those questions. The idea that life follows a rote rhythm and then one day your time has come to cross the rainbow bridge sounds awful to me. Yet I've met far too many folks who live their life this way, expecting very little—and giving very little in return. Long ago, I noticed this conscious and unconscious sleepwalking where the hottest thing on the market was what would keep you comfortable and out of pain. That trend, while appealing, seeks to remove all suffering from the human experience. If you really want your vision to come to life, you're gonna experience some heartache. That's reality. Suffering stretches you to become better ... to defy the odds, pushing on your growth edges and inviting you to rise up. What if you never sold out on yourself again? What if you asked for the best seat in the house and were offered even better? I believe you can, you will—and you must. For without vision, people perish. I believe in you. Start asking for the best and keep asking until you get it. That's the Upside Way. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to set aside ten intentional minutes this week and ask yourself this question and write the answer without negotiating it down. What vision did I quietly place on the shelf because it asked more of me? Let it be bold. It may feel premature or it may feel like it asks you to be seen before you feel ready. Honor it anyway. Then take one visible step that tests the vision in the real world. Share the idea. Voice the invitation. Signal your willingness to lead. And remember, you are committing to obedience.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
March 10, 2026
What may look like ordinary sameness to other people is often an exhilarating journey to me… …when I choose to see it that way. I celebrate: My wins. My losses. My everyday actions. Moment by moment, I’m grateful for the journey. Because that’s what success looks like. Despite what the world wants you to believe, success isn't perfection or acts of grandeur. Success doesn't always come with a parade or accolades that get you on the cover of the magazine. Success is the manifestation of your design. You get to decide every day if you're the kind of leader that would be worth following—in your family, your workplace, and your circle of friends. The key is to be honest about your thoughts, actions, and behaviors and what they are producing. In many ways, you're told to turn a blind eye to shortcomings and bury them or numb them. For example, excessive drinking can be excused when someone is under stress as it's deemed socially acceptable. And what would be considered excessive in one area seems to be celebrated in another arena. These moral conflicts impede the path to real success ... the kind where you look in the mirror and you're proud of every decision you've made. Leadership can be complicated as leaders are often sought out for answers and their acumen in a particular area. Yet that doesn't mean they're any more perfect than you are. And when you haven't defined success for yourself, you will always come up short. Success begins the moment you stop letting the world tell you who you should be. Leadership starts within. It shows up in the choices you make when no one is applauding. You were designed with intention. When your decisions honor that design, clarity replaces confusion and integrity becomes your compass. This is what real leadership looks like... quiet strength, and a life that reflects who you were created to be. That choice is available to you every single day. And today is a powerful place to begin. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to notice one ordinary action you take that reflects who you want to be as a leader. It could be how you respond to someone, how you follow through on a small task, or how you speak to yourself. Acknowledge it. Honor it. Let it be proof that your design is showing up in real time. Remember, success is in these conscious, everyday choices.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
March 2, 2026
Sometimes you have an idea of how you believe something should be. Your idea, however, is much grander than reality. Because you don't want to give up on the grandness of that vision, you start to twist yourself into a pretzel—and do things that aren't really you to see if you can make what you want come to life. People do this with relationships, their career or business path, and their God-given mission. Looking at something and accepting it for what it is takes massive amounts of courage. In a world that will give you a free pass if you make excuses for your behavior rather than encouraging you to look in the mirror, I see this path more times than I'd ever thought I would. Someone recently asked me why most folks find accountability inherently difficult. He was looking for someone to hold him accountable, and realized that no one in his friend circle had the strength or capacity to do it. After a long pause, I shared with him that if someone were to hold you accountable for your behavior, they'd have to look at and acknowledge their own shortcoming and missteps. It's just easier to ignore what you're doing, so they don't have to look at what they're doing. Long ago, I made a pact with myself that I wanted people in my life who were committed to honest, transparent dialogue. Over the past several decades, this has served me well—even when it hasn't been comfortable. I'm not looking for a free pass. Leadership is challenging, sometimes messy, and always uncomfortable. Most folks just aren't interested in signing up for something that doesn't have them feel good 24x7. When I got clear on the 7 Pillars of God-Centered Leadership, it was like something shifted in me. I got that when I walked this path and took this journey, I didn't need to twist myself into a pretzel or spend time worrying about what other people thought about me. As long as my heart is right with God, leadership is about His way, not mine. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to write down the qualities that would earn someone the right to speak into your life. Focus on who they are and not what they do. Choose qualities anchored in truth, integrity, humility, and alignment with your Divine mission. Then pause and look at your list honestly. Let your life rise to meet what you say you value.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
February 23, 2026
You can believe the best or worst about people. It’s less lonely to believe the best in them, yet that's really hard to do, especially when you've been burned over and over. When I think about leadership as a whole, this is one of the hardest elements to master because people are human. ~ They're going to get stuff wrong. ~ They're going to say things you don't like. ~ They're going to hurt your feelings, even if you don't want to admit it. At some point, most folks give up trying or at least caring. It's often easier to numb or ignore than to deal with a disappointment. Yet numbing or ignoring doesn't change the body's reaction internally to the situation. To get to a place where you are able to believe the best in folks takes work. There is no leadership pill or shortcut. At least not one that I've ever found. One of the biggest flexes is being able to hold space for someone when they've wronged you. I remember years ago reading an article about Richard Branson, and one of his employees who had stolen from him. Branson told the manager to speak to him—and give him a second chance. A second chance?!? Are you kidding me?!? That's a break in integrity and grounds for removal in any industry. Reading this had me wonder what Branson knew about leadership that at the time I didn't. To take it a step further, my curiosity increased and I wondered what would happen if I did something like this in my own life. It felt awkward to try this idea on as I had long-rooted beliefs that certain behaviors were vehemently wrong—and should be punished. Was it possible that leadership required unconditional love? Now, this didn't mean being a doormat and letting someone walk all over you. Anyone who knows me understands that's never gonna happen. Yet this new perspective, this new lens, had me curious about what would happen if I led from that place. Over the years, I can say it hasn't been the easiest thing to do—and it's been the most rewarding. I still have folks come back to me who wronged me telling me how much they respect the way I handled the situation. My greatest desire for folks is that they lead their lives in a way that honors the core of their being—their divine mission and purpose. And it's really hard to do that when you're steeped in judgment, blame, or shame-inducing behaviors. Love is the answer, regardless of the question. Because you can choose to believe the worst in people. Or you can choose to see the best in people. It's always your choice. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to choose one person who has disappointed or frustrated you. Take one step from your highest self that keeps your heart open. Speak with calm. Acknowledge something they did right. And release the story you’ve been holding. Lead from love today.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
March 16, 2026
What would happen if your vision, your wildest desire, became fulfilled? Then what? What if you were as successful, as impactful as your soul is nudging you to be? What if? Most folks never give themselves permission to answer those questions. The idea that life follows a rote rhythm and then one day your time has come to cross the rainbow bridge sounds awful to me. Yet I've met far too many folks who live their life this way, expecting very little—and giving very little in return. Long ago, I noticed this conscious and unconscious sleepwalking where the hottest thing on the market was what would keep you comfortable and out of pain. That trend, while appealing, seeks to remove all suffering from the human experience. If you really want your vision to come to life, you're gonna experience some heartache. That's reality. Suffering stretches you to become better ... to defy the odds, pushing on your growth edges and inviting you to rise up. What if you never sold out on yourself again? What if you asked for the best seat in the house and were offered even better? I believe you can, you will—and you must. For without vision, people perish. I believe in you. Start asking for the best and keep asking until you get it. That's the Upside Way. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to set aside ten intentional minutes this week and ask yourself this question and write the answer without negotiating it down. What vision did I quietly place on the shelf because it asked more of me? Let it be bold. It may feel premature or it may feel like it asks you to be seen before you feel ready. Honor it anyway. Then take one visible step that tests the vision in the real world. Share the idea. Voice the invitation. Signal your willingness to lead. And remember, you are committing to obedience.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
March 10, 2026
What may look like ordinary sameness to other people is often an exhilarating journey to me… …when I choose to see it that way. I celebrate: My wins. My losses. My everyday actions. Moment by moment, I’m grateful for the journey. Because that’s what success looks like. Despite what the world wants you to believe, success isn't perfection or acts of grandeur. Success doesn't always come with a parade or accolades that get you on the cover of the magazine. Success is the manifestation of your design. You get to decide every day if you're the kind of leader that would be worth following—in your family, your workplace, and your circle of friends. The key is to be honest about your thoughts, actions, and behaviors and what they are producing. In many ways, you're told to turn a blind eye to shortcomings and bury them or numb them. For example, excessive drinking can be excused when someone is under stress as it's deemed socially acceptable. And what would be considered excessive in one area seems to be celebrated in another arena. These moral conflicts impede the path to real success ... the kind where you look in the mirror and you're proud of every decision you've made. Leadership can be complicated as leaders are often sought out for answers and their acumen in a particular area. Yet that doesn't mean they're any more perfect than you are. And when you haven't defined success for yourself, you will always come up short. Success begins the moment you stop letting the world tell you who you should be. Leadership starts within. It shows up in the choices you make when no one is applauding. You were designed with intention. When your decisions honor that design, clarity replaces confusion and integrity becomes your compass. This is what real leadership looks like... quiet strength, and a life that reflects who you were created to be. That choice is available to you every single day. And today is a powerful place to begin. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to notice one ordinary action you take that reflects who you want to be as a leader. It could be how you respond to someone, how you follow through on a small task, or how you speak to yourself. Acknowledge it. Honor it. Let it be proof that your design is showing up in real time. Remember, success is in these conscious, everyday choices.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
March 2, 2026
Sometimes you have an idea of how you believe something should be. Your idea, however, is much grander than reality. Because you don't want to give up on the grandness of that vision, you start to twist yourself into a pretzel—and do things that aren't really you to see if you can make what you want come to life. People do this with relationships, their career or business path, and their God-given mission. Looking at something and accepting it for what it is takes massive amounts of courage. In a world that will give you a free pass if you make excuses for your behavior rather than encouraging you to look in the mirror, I see this path more times than I'd ever thought I would. Someone recently asked me why most folks find accountability inherently difficult. He was looking for someone to hold him accountable, and realized that no one in his friend circle had the strength or capacity to do it. After a long pause, I shared with him that if someone were to hold you accountable for your behavior, they'd have to look at and acknowledge their own shortcoming and missteps. It's just easier to ignore what you're doing, so they don't have to look at what they're doing. Long ago, I made a pact with myself that I wanted people in my life who were committed to honest, transparent dialogue. Over the past several decades, this has served me well—even when it hasn't been comfortable. I'm not looking for a free pass. Leadership is challenging, sometimes messy, and always uncomfortable. Most folks just aren't interested in signing up for something that doesn't have them feel good 24x7. When I got clear on the 7 Pillars of God-Centered Leadership, it was like something shifted in me. I got that when I walked this path and took this journey, I didn't need to twist myself into a pretzel or spend time worrying about what other people thought about me. As long as my heart is right with God, leadership is about His way, not mine. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to write down the qualities that would earn someone the right to speak into your life. Focus on who they are and not what they do. Choose qualities anchored in truth, integrity, humility, and alignment with your Divine mission. Then pause and look at your list honestly. Let your life rise to meet what you say you value.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
February 23, 2026
You can believe the best or worst about people. It’s less lonely to believe the best in them, yet that's really hard to do, especially when you've been burned over and over. When I think about leadership as a whole, this is one of the hardest elements to master because people are human. ~ They're going to get stuff wrong. ~ They're going to say things you don't like. ~ They're going to hurt your feelings, even if you don't want to admit it. At some point, most folks give up trying or at least caring. It's often easier to numb or ignore than to deal with a disappointment. Yet numbing or ignoring doesn't change the body's reaction internally to the situation. To get to a place where you are able to believe the best in folks takes work. There is no leadership pill or shortcut. At least not one that I've ever found. One of the biggest flexes is being able to hold space for someone when they've wronged you. I remember years ago reading an article about Richard Branson, and one of his employees who had stolen from him. Branson told the manager to speak to him—and give him a second chance. A second chance?!? Are you kidding me?!? That's a break in integrity and grounds for removal in any industry. Reading this had me wonder what Branson knew about leadership that at the time I didn't. To take it a step further, my curiosity increased and I wondered what would happen if I did something like this in my own life. It felt awkward to try this idea on as I had long-rooted beliefs that certain behaviors were vehemently wrong—and should be punished. Was it possible that leadership required unconditional love? Now, this didn't mean being a doormat and letting someone walk all over you. Anyone who knows me understands that's never gonna happen. Yet this new perspective, this new lens, had me curious about what would happen if I led from that place. Over the years, I can say it hasn't been the easiest thing to do—and it's been the most rewarding. I still have folks come back to me who wronged me telling me how much they respect the way I handled the situation. My greatest desire for folks is that they lead their lives in a way that honors the core of their being—their divine mission and purpose. And it's really hard to do that when you're steeped in judgment, blame, or shame-inducing behaviors. Love is the answer, regardless of the question. Because you can choose to believe the worst in people. Or you can choose to see the best in people. It's always your choice. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to choose one person who has disappointed or frustrated you. Take one step from your highest self that keeps your heart open. Speak with calm. Acknowledge something they did right. And release the story you’ve been holding. Lead from love today.
