Three days ago, I wrote that this would be my year of courage. I did not expect that just two days later I would be facing a lack of courage and will have to say goodbye to my mentor and move forward… without him. And yet, in the case of Jeff Miller, his legacy, his service, and his impact will always carry me forward.
Three days ago, I wrote that this would be my year of courage. I did not expect that just two days later I would be facing a lack of courage and will have to say goodbye to my mentor and move forward… without him. And yet, in the case of Jeff Miller, his legacy, his service, and his impact will always carry me forward.
Since this morning, I have been going through all the messages Jeff sent over the years to our center. With a heavy heart, I open files, folders, and emails. Though an important man has passed, his service has not ended. Everything he invested in me, in you, and in so many others will continue to live and work within us. Service is a long-term investment it does not end when you move on. Thank you, Jeff, for this final lesson you are teaching us today.
He Has Gone Further Than We Have
Jeff Miller was the creator and catalyst of many networks bringing together Servant Leaders around the world. For years, he taught Servant Leadership at universities across the United States and served as a consultant for transformational work with individuals and organizations. He also co-created and led programs at the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. Jeff did hundreds, thousands of things. Yet his achievements never went ahead of him. His humanity always came first. Not his accomplishments, though he had many. We always had confidence in walking forward with him.
“It’s not about me, but it begins with me.”
Jeffrey P. Miller, Ph.D.
His Greatest Gift Was Finding People
He found people. He connected them and invited them to the common table. He found me, too, and brought me in. He connected us with many remarkable individuals.
During the first year of our center, I received weekly personal encouragement, support, and inspiration from him. It was also then that he introduced me to people across Europe building similar initiatives. I loved receiving messages that began with: “Hi, you may not yet know that there is a Servant Leadership center in Poland. Please meet Magda…” He connected us with people such as Dirk van Dierendonck, Greenleaf UK, the center in Iceland, Reginald Lewis, and Pat Falotico. At times he invited me to sit in on his courses; at others, he led webinars for our community, such as “The Healing Organizations,” or met with our clients.
To know Jeff was to know generosity.
Small Corporate “Paper Cuts”
I cannot count how many times over the years I have shared, during workshops, a lesson I learned from Jeff about healthy organizations. During one webinar, Jeff asked us who had ever been cut by a sheet of paper. Every one of us had. That small mark on the skin reminds us of a painful yet seemingly insignificant event. A “paper cut” represents those small, awkward situations that may not cause great pain, but are often felt for years. So many seemingly minor situations within teams and organizations create a web of hurt and mistrust.
Servant Leadership is a path back to health and trust both among individuals and within organizations. We must work not only on deep wounds, but also on healing the small, everyday injuries.
Someone was not heard. Someone was interrupted. Someone abandoned responsibility.
“The role of healing is a leader’s most noble and important calling—even before vision and values. Seeds will not germinate unless a crack appears in their hard exterior. Vulnerability and empathy are pathways to deeper conversations, deeper understanding, and a catalyst for greater trust, healing, and growth.”
“Still Waters Run Deep”
Yesterday, Dr. Crystal Davis shared one of Jeff’s phrases: “Still waters run deep.”What kind of imagination do these words stir?
Jeff had an extraordinary ability to sense the right moment and to communicate profound truths in ways that deeply transformed those who listened.
What am I to do now with a folder on my computer titled “From Jeff”? There are dozens of files and presentations. Years ago, when I asked him again for research and materials, he said: “You know, it would be best if you just logged into my drive.” He shared his resources freely with permission to read, search, explore, and savor them.
We deeply regret that his visit three years ago was not possible. Yet we remember how, despite the time difference, Jeff logging in at 4:30 a.m. to lead a session for managers and executives of the Polish branch of Spectrum Brands. We are also grateful for the connection he made with the remarkable Dr. Evita Salles.
Service Is Presence and Humility
In 2023, thanks to Personel Plus and Małgorzata Rzewuska, an in-depth interview with Jeff and Evita Salles was published. In it, Jeff told Polish managers:
“Servant Leadership always reaches into both the past and the future, it has a wide spectrum. When you say “philosophy,” you are looking at life as a whole, with ideas meant to be lived out. At its core, it is leadership of being, not merely leadership of doing. Let us begin with the most fundamental ways of serving. Sometimes it is simply being present with someone and truly listening.
Greenleaf wrote extensively about the power of listening. We live in organizations and societies full of people who feel unheard. At times, the greatest wisdom is silence. It is noticing needs and stepping in to help. It is giving others the opportunity to try something that allows them to grow often beyond what they themselves believe possible.
And although it may at times feel like pushing someone to do something new and greater, it ultimately serves their good, allowing them to grow and become better Too often, we place people into small boxes defined by their roles and never give them the chance to show who they can become beyond the boxes.”
He Never Sought a Place of Importance
Who was Jeff? He was wise, deep, sensitive, perceptive and very funny. He had a great sense of humor and distance toward himself and even toward the ideas he taught.
He never sought recognition. He did not look for an important seat at the table. After months of silence, he could reach out simply to ask, “How are you?” He did not ask about the organization, he asked about the person. He was one of the most human leaders I have ever known.
Once, we sent him a gift as a token of our gratitude. He joked that it “looked like it was packaged like a bomb.” He embodied everything he taught.
Words of Farewell from Our Center
"Jeff was almost like a father figure to everyone he met. He cared deeply about people, whether he spent five minutes with them or many hours. I respected Jeff for his giving heart, his listening ears, and his words at times piercing with such truth, yet always spoken with the greatest gentleness and kindness. He always chose the last seat and was the first to applaud others. Rest in peace, Jeff.
You have left a lasting legacy.”
Aneta Montano
“I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff Miller during sessions on servant leadership. He explained the essence of this leadership style in a very clear and accessible way. He came across as a kind and warm person whose words were fully aligned with his actions. I will remember him with deep appreciation.”
Joanna Poznalska
"Jeff, I'd like to thank you for the spark. The spark that ignites and gives meaning. That's what I received from you. For that, I thank you very much"
Marceli Opieczyński Area Manager Appliances CEE Spectrum Brands
No Monument
I know you would not have wanted tributes.
You were simply a man. Simply, like any of us.
I will not build you a monument, Jeff.
I leave only one thing: thank you.
For your journey. For your faithfulness. For the good you left in people.
If I could say one more thing to you, it would surely be this:
thank you for everything.
And now rest with the Good Shepherd we spoke about.
You may rest in peace.
Magdalena