Ethical, Engaging, and Effective
A Path of Life
Drawing on timeless spiritual wisdom and modern research, Thibodeau and Ondrejka show how leading by serving can transform individuals, teams, and entire organizations.
This is leadership as it was meant to be: good work, sacred work, our work.
"To lead people, walk behind them." - Lao Tzu- 600 BCE
About the authors
Tom Thibodeau is the Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership at Viterbo University in LaCrosse, Wis. Where he has been teaching for 41 years. He is the founder of the master's degree in Servant Leadership, the only master's degree of its kind in the nation. Tom is a husband, father, grandfather, public speaker, active community member and part owner of a country tavern. He is a founding member of the Place of Grace Catholic Worker community where they have been serving meals and human dignity for 28 years.
He is a newly published co- author of the book, Servant Leadership Works. Tom is available for Keynote speeches, in-service presentation, workshops and consulting on building servant led cultures and communities. Tom promises in each presentation he can promise Positive Energy, Encouragement for the participants and Engagement.
To deepen the work and practice of Servant Leadership you can enroll in the Master's degree in Servant Leadership at Viterbo University or The Online Certificate in Servant Leadership at Viterbo by contacting Tom at tathibodeau@viterbo.edu
Servant Leadership is both timely and timeless. The practice of servant leadership can be found in all cultures, nations, and religions and is finding expression in our contemporary institutions. All of us can practice servant leadership because we all serve. The positive power of servant leadership is expressed every day through our words, our presence and our commitment to the common good.
If you are interested in obtaining a Masters Degree in Servant Leadership, contact Tom.
Dr. Dennis Ondrejka brings a rare and powerful blend of experience to his writing. As an academic professor, clinician, researcher, small group facilitator, Hakomi-Shadow practitioner, psychodramatist, healthcare futurist, and political activist, he has spent decades helping people explore their inner lives.
With over 30 years of leading servant leadership workshops, Dr. Ondrejka has guided both men and women in uncovering the deeper, often hidden reasons they may be falling short of their true potential or struggling to become their most authentic selves.
His latest book, SERVANT LEADERSHIP: Ethical, Engaging, & Effective, reflects this journey. It’s not just a leadership manual—it’s an invitation to shift your perspective on what it means to lead with empathy, purpose, and integrity.
"Acceptance of the person requires a tolerance of imperfection. Anybody could lead perfect people----if there were any. " - Robert Greenleaf
Reader's Voice
Dearest Tom:
Thank you and Mr. Nelson for sharing your stories, messages, content, and inspiration at the Westby Area School District inservice on Tuesday, 8/26/25. I know you both were appreciated by all attendees.
Dawn, Noah, and I am so grateful for your friendship, mentorship, scholarship, and servant leadership. We all aspire to be more like you, and you provide all with whom you meet and communicate with immeasurable inspiration and compassion. We greatly appreciated and were deeply moved by the public comments you made about us during your and Mr. Nelson’s presentation. I do not have the words to fully express how much your words mean to us coming from you.
Thank you, Tom. You are a treasure to all and a constant servant leader and mentor. We all are beyond fortunate and blessed for you, your presence, and your friendship! Just hearing your name makes us all smile! Pace e Bene! Be safe and well, my friend, and have a spectacular school year! With infinite gratitude and appreciation,
Dave Nelson
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.... Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus...who made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." - St Paul (144 CE)
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