Over the past several years, a group of HCO staff members has the opportunity to attend the Servant Leadership Conference at Viterbo University. This year, five HCO staff members attended: Darin Olson, Kathy Hager, Kathy Henson-Schroeder, Clara Haugo, and Celina Quinn. All five described the conference as a meaningful and powerful experience, sharing that they gained valuable tools and ideas to bring back to their teams. The conference provided an opportunity to learn, reflect, and discover new ways to put servant leadership into practice at HCO.
For Kathy Henson-Schroeder, one of the most powerful takeaways from this year’s conference was the reminder that, “Mindset is the foundation; resilience is the result!” Darin Olson also shared a quote that resonated with him: “Servant leadership is a humble form of influence, where the servant leader is focused on motivating and developing followers with the end goal of benefiting all of an organization’s stakeholders.” Together, these reflections capture the heart of servant leadership and the importance of growing together, leading with purpose, and creating a positive impact for everyone we serve.
Following the conference, HCO brought together staff who have attended the Servant Leadership Conference in the past, along with this year’s participants, for HCO’s Living with Purpose Recognition. The afternoon was an opportunity to reflect, connect, and hear stories that demonstrate what serving others looks like every day at HCO.
The afternoon began with a light lunch and meaningful conversation around the tables. Guided questions encouraged everyone to pause, reflect, and enjoy time connecting with the people around them. Attendees then heard three inspiring stories, each connected to one of the Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership.
The first story highlighted the pillar of Compassionate Collaborator. Attendees heard about two individuals who initially came to HCO through emergency respite care. When they first came to HCO, staff from across the organization rallied around them, working together to provide support, create connections, and help make HCO feel like home. What began as temporary support quickly became something much more meaningful, as both individuals found a place they could call home at HCO.
The second story demonstrated what it means to be a Person of Character. Two individuals supported by HCO, alongside a staff member, shared a portion of their A4R (Ambassadors for Respect) presentation, which they have been bringing into local schools. They talked about what they do, what it feels like to share their stories, and why having the opportunity to speak about important topics like anti-bullying matters not only to them, but to the students as well.
The final story reflected the pillar of Having Foresight. Attendees heard about an individual who faced a significant medical challenge and ultimately underwent surgery. What made her story especially powerful was that she advocated for herself, knew she wanted to move forward with the procedure, and had a clear vision for recovering at home with the support of HCO staff. Her determination and successful recovery showed the impact of believing in what is possible and having the courage to pursue it.
Together, these stories served as a reminder that servant leadership is not simply something learned at a conference. It is something we see in action every day at HCO. It can look like finding a place to call home, having the courage to share your story, advocating for yourself, or taking the time to listen and connect with another person.
The afternoon concluded by recognizing the HCO staff members who have participated in the Servant Leadership Conference, including this year’s five attendees. Their commitment to learning, growing, and bringing servant leadership back to their teams is one more way HCO continues to live its purpose through the everyday actions of its staff and the people we support.
