Three Points of Leadership

 CAB LEADERSHIP

As the current Chair of the College Advisory Board, I get to experience leadership from those around me, as well as my own attempt.

How does leadership affect the way we go about our business?  I believe that there are a couple of points that I try to emphasize.  First, be present.  There is no greater way to impact your group than to be there.  You may have the charisma, the intellect, the verbal mastery, and all the enthusiastic gifts to inspire your team, but if you are not present, no one gets to benefit from it.

Second, give your ear to others.  Effective communication is a two-way street.  I realize that the best leaders are probably the best listeners.  If you strive to gain the confidence and trust of your peers, you must respect their voice, and give it importance.  They must feel that you take their opinions and dissents into consideration.  It cannot be a monopoly when it comes to group dynamics.

The third point, though there are many to discuss, is:  try to recognize the gifts and talents of those around you.  I have learned that no man or woman is an island.  Humility dictates that if someone has a skill set in which they can do something better than you, then great leaders allow them to flourish in their element.  There is no harm in delegating responsibilities to someone more competent in a task.  As they say pride comes before destruction.  If we are attempting to build something, then do not let YOU get in the way of US!  Encourage your team and build a dynamic where each member can excel in their gift or talent.  Simply put, there may not be an “I” in team, but there definitely can be plenty of ‘YOU’s.”

I realize that this is not an exhaustive piece, and there can be many approaches to effective leadership.  For the time and space constraints, these are a few points I find helpful in my development as a leader and builder in life.