Acting in Service of Others Can Change the World

Acting in service of others can change the world. In my journey from a suburb outside Detroit to the military to television journalism and now entrepreneurship, I have found so many calls to serve. In addition to my work now as a media producer, I also mentor young adults in my community outside DC. I recently spoke with Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) about my experiences and perspectives.


TMF: What did you do in the military?
DO: I attended the Naval Academy, and then spent six years active duty stationed in San Diego as a Surface Warfare Officer. I loved it because the types of ships I was on afforded me the opportunity to work with so many different branches of service. We also deployed twice overseas, once to the Persian Gulf.

What motivated you to join the military?
No one in my immediate family was in the military so I didn't have a lot of firsthand knowledge of the service, but I always enjoyed trying new things that on the surface seemed like difficult challenges. I honestly believe it was the best decision I ever made.

What does servant leadership mean to you?
To me, servant leadership means walking it and not just talking it. In my life experiences, I've found that it is a powerful thing when someone uses acts of service to accomplish things, and it is something that often galvanizes people to help.

How has your perspective on leadership been shaped or changed by your military service?
The military really taught me the importance of leadership by doing. As an officer, the times I succeeded the most was when I demonstrated through actions what my goals for the organization were. The times I failed was when I didn't truly learn the job as well as I needed to, and, hence, didn't feel comfortable showing the team what the standard was. In my post-military career, I've always taken on the mindset that showing people what is expected is critically important. That goes for technical knowledge, as well as human relations.

Who do you admire?
I admire people like my mother who very quietly gave of herself to others, whether it was volunteering for little league organizations, family, neighborhood associations, or PTA. She was always doing it, not talking about it.

To learn more about Travis Manion Foundation and join the community, visit http://www.travismanion.org.