Calendar of Events
Upcoming Servant Leadership Meetings
We meet on the third Friday of the month on Zoom. See details for each session below, or visit our meeting archive for resources and self-study materials from past sessions.
March 2026 Madison Area Servant Leadership Meetup
Between Stimulus and Response: Self-care for Servant Leaders
“Between stimulus and response is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.” This quote, attributed to Victor Frankl, will ground our conversation about finding that space and how it contributes to self-care for leaders and nurtures an environment for creative teams. Building on the concepts in Brené Brown’s “Strong Ground,” we will delve into the value of using mindfulness to connect to the present moment. We will probe the importance of “negative capability” when faced with uncertainty and/or doubt. Our goal is to better equip attendees with a “tool belt” of strategies to use when dealing with difficult situations that require both technical and adaptive leadership skills: How to pause. How to interrupt our familiar patterns. How to be more comfortable with uncertainty. How to find the space between stimulus and response.
Please join us on March 20 for our next thought-provoking session as we explore:
- What is the OPPOSITE of “negative capability?”
- When caring for ourselves as leaders, what should we “let in,” and what should we “leave out?”
- How can we create a “space” between stimulus and our response?
- How can we use the practice of mindfulness in our role as a leader?
- What IS mindfulness and what ISN’T mindfulness?
- How can we use the concept of “negative capability” to be courageous leaders?
Agenda for March 20, 2026, with background material
I. Gathering: What for you is a sure sign that spring is here?
II. Grounding: Affectionate Breathing
III. What does the Frankl quote mean to you?
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In that response lies our growth and freedom.”
III. Where We’ve Been: A recap of the conversation so far of “Strong Ground”
IV. Finding the Space: Mindfulness and a way to pause
- Do you know someone who has mastered the art of finding space between stimulus and response? Can you share how interactions with that person feel different and connect for a more meaningful conversation?
- Regular meditation is one tool to break through from reacting to responding. How do you create the space? What are the barriers in your life to stopping and interrupting your usual patterns? What are the barriers (internal and external) to a regular mindfulness practice?
- When you take the time to stop, how does that affect your well-being, your relationships, and the well-being of those around you?
V. Comfortable with Uncertainty: The concept of negative capability
- How can we use the concept of “negative capability” to be courageous leaders?
- What is the OPPOSITE of “negative capability?”
VI. Self-care: Why it matters/ How we get there
- How do you see the Victor Frankl quote in light of today’s conversation?
- How could finding the room to pause make a difference in your life? Do you see ways that you can be more comfortable with uncertainty?
- Are there techniques you could use to stop running toward or away from every situation and stay grounded in the moment?
- How can you use these practices in your role as leader?
March 20, 2026
8:30-10:00 am CST
Meeting ID: 987 0673 4791
Passcode: 156691
April 2026 Madison Area Servant Leadership Meetup
TBA
Session topic to be announced soon!
April 17, 2026
8:30-10:00 am CST
May 2026 Madison Area Servant Leadership Meetup
TBA
Session topic to be announced soon!
May 15, 2026
8:30-10:00 am CST
June 2026 Madison Area Servant Leadership Meetup
TBA
Session topic to be announced soon!
June 19, 2026
8:30-10:00 am CST
Meeting Archive
Go to the meeting archive page to see past agendas and meeting descriptions, as well as links to the materials we shared. There’s a lot of leadership gold within this vault!
Our Mission
The Servant Leadership Community of Practice fosters emerging and current leaders to develop a servant-first mindset as the most effective strategy to empower people and build thriving organizations. We welcome people from outside and inside the University to share insights and grow through our monthly meetings.