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Guidance Glimpse: Leadership
Jana L. Cline, Moore Norman Technology Center
We usually think of leaders as the community movers and shakers and the change makers within our world, those larger-than-life people who "really make a difference". Who are the leaders on your list? Major figures may include George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Dwight Eisenhower, Henry Ford, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Susan B. Anthony, Jane Addams, Clara Barton and Rosa Parks. The following characteristics represent a positive leader; reflect on your own qualities, and think about the impact you have made on others today!
| Lead by example | Communicates fairly |
| Encourage others | Takes action |
| Motivated to learn | Resourceful |
| Mirror integrity | Communicates effectively |
| Demonstrates positive attitude | Eager to research |
| Values shared efforts | Demands excellence, not perfection |
| Understands others' fears | Accomplished, but humble |
| Aware of limits | Focused on sustainable solutions |
As you are searching for ways to "really make a difference" in your workplace and community, be proactive in your decision-making processes and search for ways to progress? How can we measure the power of knowledge, but yet explore new and innovative ways to pursue the dream of sharing education and purpose with those we have daily contact with? What does it mean to turn ideas into actions? We have the ability to improve and are equipped to be support systems to those in search of a better way and a better life. Consider work ethic in regard to success and take the following self assessment.
- When given a task or assignment, I regularly try to do MORE than is expected of me.
- I make a habit of volunteering for work. When I see things that need to be done, I do them without waiting for others to take the lead.
- I am committed to providing the best customer service possible. I continually place customer needs before my own.
- I make a special effort to accept and support change rather than resist it. You can count on me to willingly try new things.
- When I'm down, I avoid whining, complaining, or otherwise spreading negative feelings to my co-workers.
- I value and appreciate people with ideas, backgrounds, and demographic characteristics that are different from mine.
- I make a habit of asking others (my boss, co-workers, and customers) for feedback on how I'm doing…and I ACT on that feedback.
- I truly appreciate the opportunities I receive, the people I work with, the customers I serve, and the fact that I have a job to be successful at.
- I engage in specific behaviors (rest, exercise, diet) to keep myself in good physical health.
- I respect and protect my organization's equipment, resources, and facilities-just as if I owned the business and had my personal finances at stake.
Good organizations convey a strong vision of where they will be in the future. Utilizing time management skills while striving to be a hard worker can be contagious. To be a consistent resource, we must possess the willingness to carry and coach our team members at the same time; this will produce a stronger sense of commitment from everyone. Take time to celebrate the battles that have been won as a team and seek opportunities to lead!
You can't build a reputation on what you're GOING to do.
-- Henry Ford