What if the key to success isn’t about what you achieve, but how much you give back?

In this week’s episode of Outside Insights, I sat down with Mike Smith, a public servant whose inspiring journey proves that leadership is rooted in service.

Currently serving in Delaware’s House of Representatives for the 22nd district, Mike’s approach resonated with me on a deep level. We both believe that true leadership is about solving problems and making a positive impact on those around us. In other words, being a servant leader.

Mike’s journey is rooted in lessons from his grandmother, who taught him that a full, purposeful life is built on giving back. Whether it was raising money for those in need or simply helping out in the community, she instilled the belief that true success comes from service. That same philosophy has guided Mike throughout his career.

Here are a few of the most impactful lessons Mike shared during our conversation, but make sure to listen to the full episode for a deeper dive into his approach to leadership.

Leadership is About Helping People
Mike sees his role in public service as one of servant leadership. To Mike, it’s not about the title or recognition, it’s about solving problems and being there for others. He shared a great story about learning from Congressman Mike Castle, who taught him early on that politics should never get in the way of simply helping people.

Fulfillment Comes from Giving Back
There’s no greater fulfillment than making a difference in someone’s life. Whether it’s volunteering or stepping up to lead in your community, giving back is at the heart of living a meaningful life.

Engage with Your Community
Mike encourages everyone to get involved, whether by attending local government sessions or volunteering. Community engagement builds trust and understanding, and it’s a key part of being a servant leader.

Lessons from Sports and Coaching
As an endurance athlete and coach, Mike shared three traits that make a great teammate: dependability, skill, and selflessness. These lessons resonated with me because they apply not just to sports but to leadership and life. It's a reminder that success is about showing up for others, not just for yourself.

Mike’s journey and insights are a powerful reminder that leadership is about serving others, making an impact, and constantly striving to be better. Whether you’re leading a team, working in your community, or just looking to grow personally, these lessons can help you close the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

I encourage you to listen to the full episode during your next commute for more of Mike’s inspiring stories and practical advice on leadership. For more on servant leadership, you can also check out a past Outside Insights blog on the topic.

I’d love to hear from you. How are you applying the idea of servant leadership in your own life? How have you been impacted by a servant leader in the past? How are you or will you give back to others? Reply and let me know.

Until next time, friends.
Chris

Check out the full blog here!

In life, there are assets and liabilities. An asset is a resource that brings value to others and a liability, on the other hand, is a responsibility or obligation. When it comes to your job, the question is simple: would you rather be an asset or a liability?

We all strive to be assets! But let’s acknowledge that no one is an asset 100% of the time—and that’s okay. There are moments when our performance doesn't meet expectations, and that’s part of the growth process. However, if we want to consistently add value and thrive in our roles, we can take steps to close the gap between where we are and where we want to be.

How about a real life example? An employee in an analytics role is looking to build a dashboard for key company metrics. To prepare, she takes a free course on the software needed to build the report before the project even gets the green light. The employee loves what she does, she wanted the knowledge anyway. The outcomes helped the organization tie their outcomes to their strategy for employees, board members and even suppliers. She could have waited to be told what to do and when, this would have been good enough. Instead she added value in a visible way to the entire organization!

So, how do you become and stay an asset?

Creating value is at the heart of being an asset. The more value you create in a day, week, or hour, the more you contribute to the success of your team and company. But how do you consistently create value? Here are a few ways:

• Be a problem-solver: Don’t just identify issues—bring forward solutions. This mindset shows initiative and helps your team move forward.
• Engage deeply: Get involved in your work with purpose. When you find meaning in your tasks, you’ll naturally give more.
• Volunteer: Every meeting presents opportunities to step up. Be the person who takes on challenges and drives them to completion.
• Say "Yes": I once met a plant leader who shared that his rise to leadership came because, during the pandemic, he said "yes" when others hesitated. Sometimes, saying yes to new challenges can open doors.

Becoming an asset is a mindset. It's entrepreneurial. And it's a competitive advantage to a leader or business that can cultivate an asset minded culture. And an advantage to an employee that excels at the concept! Being an asset is about engagement and awareness and about understanding the goals and future of your company. Your actions, if asset minded support the company on its journey.

On the latest episode of Outside Insights, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sheila Bravo, president and CEO of DANA (Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement). Sheila’s career journey—from corporate marketing with brands like Vlasic Pickles and Godiva to nonprofit leadership—is all about adaptability, purpose, and lifelong learning. Her story holds valuable lessons for anyone, no matter their field. If you’re searching for inspiration or a reminder that career pivots can lead to more fulfillment, you need to add this episode to your list.

“You never make the plan the way you plan to make the plan.”

​​Sheila didn’t always envision herself in the nonprofit sector. For years, she thrived in high-powered corporate roles, leading well-known brands and traveling the world. But behind the scenes, something was missing.

The long hours and constant travel meant Sheila was away from her family more than she wanted to be. “I wasn’t around much… the success was there, but the fulfillment wasn’t,” she reflected. The work that once energized her had become routine, and she began to feel disconnected from her purpose.

Sound familiar? It definitely did for me when talking with Sheila. I often reflect on the long hours I would spend locked in my office while my growing family made memories without me. Eventually, something had to give and I had to make a change. Sheila did, too.

She craved something deeper, a career that aligned not only with her professional skills but with her personal values. So, she made the bold decision to walk away from corporate America and seek work with greater meaning.

Nonprofit leadership wasn’t part of Sheila’s original plan, but it turned out to be exactly where she needed to be.

Meet DANA. The secret sauce behind nonprofits.

During our conversation, Sheila highlighted the tough realities nonprofits face: rising costs, staff turnover, and funding that isn’t keeping up with inflation. DANA, under Sheila’s leadership, is helping nonprofits navigate these hurdles. They provide essential training, consulting, and strategy to help organizations operate more efficiently. Their standout initiative is a nonprofit accelerator that helps smaller organizations, especially those serving marginalized communities, scale their impact. Sheila calls DANA the “secret sauce” behind nonprofits, focused on empowering them for long-term success.

Check out the episode on Youtube and learn more about Sheila on Placers website, here!