Spears Center for Servant Leadership | SpearsCenter.org

Expressions of Appreciation

The following quotes are a selection of expressions sent to Larry throughout the years.

"Goodness! You’ve accomplished a lot. Thank you, Larry, for continuing and enhancing the ideas of my old friend, Bob Greenleaf. You’re a gentleman and scholar." 
- (2003) Warren Bennis, author, On Leadership

"I’m proud of what you’ve done."
- (2004) Ken Blanchard, author, The Servant Leader

"Larry, you are special in the way you embody the ideas that you advocate.
You are faithful to the ideas of servanthood and your new venture will only widen
the audience for what you have given so many years of your life to."
- (2008) Peter Block, author, Stewardship

"With every wish for your success in building the philosophy of servant-leadership."
- (1995) John Bogle, founder/retired chairman, The Vanguard Group

"You have caused the impossible dream to happen—you saved the Greenleaf Center from certain destruction and made it into an international, overwhelming success. With love."
- (2000) Bill Bottum, Greenleaf Center trustee from 1981-2001

"I hold you in high regard."
- (1999) James MacGregor Burns, author, Leadership

"I appreciate the leadership you give to Greenleaf’s seminal work."
- (2001) John Carver, author, Board Governance

"Chapman University presents you with its Outstanding Leadership Award in recognition of your pioneering efforts and enduring commitment to promoting servant-leadership around the world."
- (2002) Chapman University

"Good friend and partner! Congratulations on the marvelous book, Practicing Servant Leadership. Keep leaving a legacy. When we were born our work was born with us. You’re doing it well. Love & appreciation."
- (2005) Stephen R. Covey, author, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Covey & Spears

"Your influence personally, professionally, and organizationally is much greater than you will ever know. As a student of nonviolence I believe good spirals out from people, and the good in you has spiraled out in many different directions. Talent like yours is not given to many, and the world needs you."
- (2005) Paul Davis, President, Scanlon Leadership Network

"DePauw University is proud to present the Community Leader Award to Larry C. Spears for outstanding community leadership, which has made a difference in so many lives."
- (2008) DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana

"Your work here at Gonzaga University and internationally has gained a special place and following."
- (2006) Shann Ferch, Editor, The International Journal of Servant Leadership

"With high regard for your work and passion."
- (1995) Ron Heifetz, author, Leadership Without Easy Answers

"The Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership has been blessed with the presence, talent, capabilities, sincere devotion, ethical guidance, and determined stewardship of a man who, for the past ten years, has brought the highest quality of management and leadership to work every day. We are awed by his sense of responsibility, the care he brings to all of his work, whether that is editing a book, writing articles, putting together agendas and financial plans, or working with board members. Our board, staff, and all of us here have been the lucky recipients of his focus and curiosity, his stability and his generosity, his seriousness and his sense of humor. Larry, you have our deepest gratitude for all that you have done—things of high visibility and things of quiet humility. Your ongoing reflective presence, your determination, and your creativity have wrought wonders. As a manager, a leader, an author, an editor, and a fellow traveler on this path called servant-leadership, all of us thank you."
- (2000) The Greenleaf Center Board of Trustees

"To Larry: Who leads, who inspires, who keeps the faith."
- (1998) Frances Hesselbein, editor, The Leader of the Future

"Companion on the odyssey we share."
- (2000) Dee Hock, author, Birth of the Chaordic Age

"Thank you for your dedication and hard work in a great cause that is making a difference in the lives of many thousands of people."
- (1998) James Hunter, author, The Servant

"The 2004 Dare-To-Lead Award is given in recognition of your demonstrated commitment and many contributions to building effective, responsible leaders."
- (2004) The International Leadership Network

"Thanks for holding up the ideals of servant leadership!"
- (2005) John Izzo, author, Second Innocence

"Thanks for sharing with the world your own sense of inner calling and outer expression."
- (2002) Michael Jones, author, Creating an Imaginative Life

"Thank you for the opportunities you’ve created, and the extraordinary difference that you are making."
- (2003) James M. Kouzes, author, Encouraging the Heart

"Thanks for your own “fire,” and hopes of sitting around it with you often!"
- (2005) Richard J. Leider, author, Claiming Your Place at the Fire

"Thanks for answering your call to servant-leadership. Keep on."
- (2004) John P. Schuster, author, Answering Your Call

"It has been said that all ministers have a theme and whether they are a bore or interesting depends on how many variations they can get on the theme. I am so pleased to see that you are coming up with new angles and new audiences. I also know how difficult it can be to follow a charismatic founder, and that adds all the more to my respect for what you have been able to accomplish."
- (2000) Edgar Stoesz, author, Common Sense for Board Members

"Many blessings for your important work; with gratitude for our shared journey. May you continue to proclaim, teach, and host the vision of a world of servant leaders."
- (2005) Margaret Wheatley, author, Finding Our Way

Wheatley & Spears

"With great respect for your work."
- (2005) Danah Zohar, author, Spiritual Capital