Elevating Leadership: Leading with a 'Service-First' Mentality

Lessons from My Father: The Foundation of My Leadership Style

My path to where I am today began in an unconventional classroom—working alongside my dad, Mike Blumenfeld. Some of my earliest and fondest memories are tagging along with him, selling tennis nets and kickballs to local rec departments and clubs. It was here, amidst rolls of netting and the buzz of community sports, that I began to absorb the fundamental values of hard work, integrity, and the importance of putting others first.

My father wasn’t just running a business; he was mentoring those around him, championing the virtues of community engagement and personal responsibility. He learned much of this growing up as the eldest son in a home without a mom – and choosing to embrace the need to put others before himself at an early age. After a promising MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals was cut short by a career-ending knee injury, he continued coaching youth baseball and football teams in his hometown of Memphis while caring for his siblings – developing a knack for paying it forward in the world of family, sports, and eventually business.

Inspired by my father’s resilience and dedication to giving back, I carried these lessons with me into adulthood. Upon graduating from Tulane University, I initially pursued a different path and joined an investment firm named Bear Stearns. However, about a year in, a unique opportunity brought me back to the roots my father planted. He had recently inked a deal to partner with the National Youth Sport Coaches Association in Florida and was planning a new youth sports division in concert with Dave Hostetler, a big name from the Texas Rangers. When my father called to offer me the chance to join this venture, I realized it was a chance to create something meaningful from scratch. That’s how I found my calling – and 30 years later, I’ve never looked back.

Working with my dad, I learned invaluable lessons about service and leadership. My time working by his side was a masterclass in leadership, profoundly shaping my approach and embedding a deep-seated philosophy of service. These early lessons laid the foundation for my belief in servant leadership, the idea that if you unconditionally give to others, the gift is returned 10-fold in the years to come. This approach to leadership is not only a personal conviction but also the method through which we cultivate leaders at Varsity Brands, ensuring every leader we develop is equipped to act with the same commitment to service and community.

Exploring the Hallmarks of Service-First at Varsity Brands

Varsity Brands' Believe In You program exemplifies our commitment to servant leadership, built upon the cornerstone of student empowerment. Believe In You is tailored to equip students and adults alike with essential skills and mindset for navigating life's challenges. The program – now on its third season – is an in-school homeroom podcast series with guest appearances from both athletes and celebrities, exploring a range of topics involving character education, and servant leadership itself. This initiative showcases our dedication to not only discussing these principles but actively embedding them into the fabric of educational experiences.

As we delve deeper into the essence of servant leadership, let's explore the hallmarks that guide our transformative journey, all of which are discussed in the Believe In You program resources:

• Connection: The bedrock of servant leadership is the ability to forge deep, meaningful connections. This echoes the lessons I learned from my father, who taught me the importance of building strong relationships both in business and in life.
• Compassion: Compassion naturally follows connection. It’s about genuinely caring for others’ wellbeing and empowering them through kindness and understanding. 
• Purpose: As connections deepen and compassion flourishes, a clear and compelling purpose emerges. This purpose transcends personal goals and aligns with community needs, driving us to actions that resonate with our core values. This mirrors the dedication my father had to serve our community, a fundamental value that has shaped my own leadership path.
• Hope: Servant leaders are beacons of hope and optimism, uplifting their communities to face challenges and pursue success. This hopeful outlook not only builds confidence but also fortifies the collective resolve to achieve shared aspirations. My father’s unwavering optimism, even in tough times, inspired me to adopt a similar mindset.
• Power: The journey reaches a profound realization with the understanding of power. In the hands of a servant leader, power is a tool for empowerment, not control. It’s wielded to uplift and unlock the potential in others, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

When servant leaders embrace the principles of connection, compassion, purpose, hope, and power, they set the stage for transformative impact within their communities. Together, these five characteristics do not just enhance organizational performance; they cultivate a culture of mutual respect, enduring commitment, and collective success, ultimately leading to a more compassionate and capable society.

Become Part of Varsity Brands’ Movement

As we embark on this journey together through this blog, we invite you to join us in redefining leadership and enhancing our communities, with a particular focus on empowering the next generation. Each post will delve into our ongoing initiatives, share inspiring stories, and discuss how every aspect of our work at Varsity Brands is dedicated to serving youth. We’re committed to creating environments that foster youth development and empower them to achieve their fullest potential. I look forward to not only sharing our experiences but also hearing about your encounters with a Service-First leadership mentality. Let’s learn from each other and grow together.

Together, we are not just pursuing a corporate goal but committing personally to better the world, one young person at a time. How have you experienced or implemented servant leadership in your life? Share your stories with us, and let’s build a more compassionate and capable society together.