At the recent FPA Fall Executive Conference, Social Entrepreneur and Author, Matt Tenney, discussed “Serve to Be Great: Leadership Lessons from a Prison, a Monastery, and a Boardroom.” Matt is an international keynote speaker, trainer, and a consultant with the prestigious Perth Leadership Institute, whose clients include numerous Fortune 500 companies. He works with companies, associations, universities, and non-profits to develop highly effective leadership skills, and achieve lasting success by focusing on serving and inspiring greatness in the people around them.

Matt believes that as humans, we are wired to see what’s wrong in life, and not what’s right. We need to train ourselves to see what is right, no matter the circumstance, and act quickly and efficiently as possible. It can be something as simple as saying “thank you” to an employee for a job well done, and showing appreciation for their work.

He believes that one of the most important business practices is cultivating mindfulness, which reduces anxiety. When employees are anxious, they tend to be more self-focused rather than focused on others around them. With mindfulness, people are more likely to sense what someone needs, and then help them to meet those needs, which is the essence of highly effective leadership. The most powerful gift you can give to a human being is your full presence/attention. Matt believes that being mindful of others is what makes life truly rich. It’s not about what we can do for ourselves, but what we can do for others, by helping the people around us. He believes that to be an effective leader, treating others with respect and kindness is a top priority.

FPA thanks The Dow Chemical Company, ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Hosokawa Alpine American, KBA Flexotecnica, and Siegwerk USA Co. for sponsoring Matt’s presentation at the conference.

For More Information

FPA members can view Matt’s presentation and video at www.flexpack.org by clicking on “Download Presentations from the FPA 2017 Fall Executive Conference” in the Spotlight section on the homepage.