One of a leader’s primary duties is to grow and develop others. Just recently I began wrestling with a related question posed by a long-time friend of mine-Dave-who is in ministry.…Am I a leader worth reproducing?
How about you? Are you a (fill in the blank) board Chair…director…Executive Director…worth reproducing? How about in your role as a parent, spouse, friend? What needs to happen to make you one? For me, part of it is about:
- Letting go of control and developing a spirit of surrender
- Becoming more patient, and
- Not letting the perfect get in the way of the good
So again I ask, what needs to happen to make you a (leader, etc) worth reproducing? How are you going to make that happen? What will be your biggest road block and how do you intend to overcome it so 2014 is your best leadership year ever?
As a volunteer leader of volunteers, you have listed three points that hit home. Because of past experiences I have been very careful in allowing others “in” to the “magic circle”. I certainly have been truthful and told more perhaps than I should, but on the other hand I could be a much better listener – gatherer of other people’s wishes, thoughts, and feelings. This is the year that I will be able to be more flexible timewise. One of my biggest road blocks is the clickishness of certain of my key volunteers on the administrative/fundraising side. Somehow I have to help some of my volunteers understand how to be accepting of others who are not like themselves. I know that making time for volunteer training and making it enticing enough for people to come is one step along the way.
I am a community leader/organizer, daughter/sister/friend, and youth mentor who aims to influence others by my good works of character, and action. I would like to increase my ability to lead by example always improving my skills and abilities.
I previously held leadership roles and agree completely that having the title and role of leader should require anyone to demonstrate attributes that are desirable and worth reproducing. However, I believe that good organizations recognize that leaders are those with the best ideas and sometimes the best ideas comes from persons without leadership titles. Good leaders know how to take good direction.
I have been doing some reading in 2014 and since I started to read How to be Exceptional by magnifying your strength by JohnH.Zenger and Joseph T. Folkman my mind has been moving. For me in 2014 I feel that I need to spend more time on growing my strength and spending less time looking at my weaknesses. Being aan Executive Director I have to complete performance reviews and since I began reading this book I see where I am able to assist others to become stronger in their work place. As I look at individuals strengths instead of their weaknesses then I beleive I can help them grow and as will grow myself. Growing together a team member can be a great bnefit for all that are involved.
Thanks Bill. There is a growing body of knowledge from researchers confirming that working on strengths in the long run is better than trying to shore up ones weaknesses. I believe you are on the right track for top performance both for you and your team. Thanks.