Episode 291: Servant Leadership with Jon Antonucci

Links: www.ServantMindedLeadership.com www.YouTube.com/@ServantMindedLeadership https://www.linkedin.com/in/servantmindedleadership/Bio:With 20+ years of leadership experience, and over a dozen years of working to develop great leadership qualities in others, Jon is passionate about empowering dynamic leaders who are equipped to change the world! He believes that it is only through servant-leadership, rooted in love that leaders can leave a legacy that outlasts any business success. Jon got his entrepreneurial start growing up in the foothills of Colorado, where he provided lawncare and lemonade stands for his neighbors at only seven years old. At age 11, he had multiple business pursuits, and began karate classes at the local Boys and Girls Club. By age 12 he made use of his “firstborn” natural leader tendencies, teaching his first class. When his family moved to Arizona, he got his first W2 job, quickly becoming the go-to person at the local Safeway. At age 17, he was given his own martial arts class to teach and by the time he was 19, he was leading 15 classes totaling over 500 students. Unfortunately, the bright star was not mature enough for his early success. Before he turned 20, he made what he describes as “the stupidest decision of (his) life”, choosing to accompany 3 of his friends in the arson of a building in South Phoenix, which left his best friend dead and sent Jon to prison! Jon was able to redeem the terrible situation by first addressing his own character flaws and using every day productively: participating in every rehabilitation class offered, completing multiple certificates and degrees, and actually rooting himself in the faith that he had previously pretended to hold. Because of his transformation, he was given many opportunities to empower others in their success. By the time he was released, Jon had been instrumental in the development of the Inmate Peer Program—creating and facilitating rehabilitation classes, and other opportunities that provided tools for success to those who wanted to leave a life of crime and return to society as productive, contributing members. After release, Jon has enjoyed the privilege of being the training manager for an international specialty logistics company, consulting for multiple multi-million-dollar businesses, being a keynote speaker, sharing his story of hope, and serving in his church. He is now pursuing his passion for empowering leaders by providing leadership consulting, training, and workshops for organizations which value servant-minded leadership that is rooted in love.