“Service is the rent we pay for living. It is the very purpose of life.”
– Marian Wright Edelman
Carrying the Keys
Let me tell you about a man who taught me that the greatest leaders often carry the least fanfare. Last week, I had the privilege of introducing my mentor, Gary Palm, as he received St. Anthony Village High School’s “Service Award.” And while that evening was about celebrating him, the lessons he has taught me are worth sharing with all of you.
If you ask me to define “service,” I’d point to Gary. For 40 years, he taught mathematics in our schools. (Gary is always quick to remind me he taught kids, not math!) When the last bell rang, he kept serving: 63 seasons on the sidelines and diamonds, coaching football, basketball, baseball, and golf. He has lived a life poured into others.
For 19 years, Gary also carried the keys as the athletic director—literally. He was the first to arrive and the last to leave, the one who made sure buses ran, fields were ready, and events happened without a hitch. When he retired, he handed me his “master key.” That was a big day for me. Except … the very first day I had that key, I lost it! Don’t worry—I found it a week later. But the lesson stuck: a) put your keys on a key chain and b) carrying the keys isn’t about what’s on your ring—it’s about how you carry responsibility. And Gary always carried it with steadiness, humility, and care.
His service went beyond our school. Gary helped shape conferences, represented our district at the state level, and influenced the broader community with his calm presence and unshakable integrity. However, Gary’s greatest legacy wasn’t in positions or titles—it was in people.
I’ll never forget passing him in the hallway near our band room. He stopped me, told me he appreciated me and my wife Rebecca, remembered what it was like to be a young teacher trying to make ends meet, and handed me a crisp $100 bill. Then he said one of his classic “Palmerisms,” recalling how he was once so broke he “couldn’t pay attention.” That moment wasn’t about the money. It was about care, kindness, and noticing.
That’s the story of Gary Palm: a servant leader, a shaper of lives, and a man who gave of himself quietly, consistently, and completely.
At the ceremony, they called it a “Service Award.” Gary just called it Tuesday.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
Connecting this quote to the story. True purpose and identity are discovered not in chasing recognition, but in quietly giving yourself away in steady, humble service to others.
This week’s Chasing Influence tip: Great leaders don’t wait for recognition; they simply serve until service itself becomes their legacy.
If you enjoyed this story, a series of three Chasing Influence workbooks is available. Stories are accompanied by discussion questions and answers. Each workbook contains 33 lessons to use with any team.
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