Serve Always, Also Incarcerated
We are being forged like a diamond through our life’s experiences, says Jon Antonucci, leadership expert and founder of SML Consultative, to become who we are called to be. Jon has realized that his core is about service, faith and deeply accepting what is now. “We always have impact on others, whether we realize it or not,” says Jon. “It is up to us whether it is good or bad.” Jon spent 12 years in prison. While there, he started a rehabilitation group with the motto “how can I serve,” even though this service orientation wasn’t popular and sometimes outright dangerous in the prison culture. Listening deeply within, Jon felt called to be a servant leader and inspire others to do the same, no matter what. Considering his aspired impact on others, helped him find the strength to stand for what was important to him, also when this put him at personal risk. He declined to partake in racism, even though he was told that Caucasians like him who’d speak to a black person, would leave the unit in a body bag. Jon knew from past experiences this not to be an empty threat. Yet he chose to directly address it and decline this racist order with compassion and clarity, living his deeply held orientation of being of service to everyone, no matter the consequences. What if we all served a bit more courageously today?
