Follow the Leader
There are many characteristics of a leader; one in particular is developing a strong ethical character. Developing this characteristic is considered a lifelong process as we learn through hardships, setbacks, obstacles as well as successes. Learning organizations are composed of people with different levels of ethical development. As a leader, how do you transfer a strong ethical character to the organization?
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Do good and be better. Simple. Do good daily: not for anyone to see, just because it feels good. My brother would try everyday to ‘make three days’. Meaning, every single day, he would do or say something to ‘make the day’ for three people. He would compliment an outfit or hairstyle or make a joke or send a random person flowers at their job. You do good because it’s the right thing to do.
Be better. Be better than you were yesterday. Not better than someone else, not to keep up with the Jones’, but better than you were the day before. Always read and keep learning. Be on the lookout for constant areas of improvement. Seek to improve yourself, the atmosphere around you and the vibe you bring around others.
Keep up with your journal, not the jones’! Make sure you are grateful on the regular for everyday things are doing things to better yourself. I work the graveyard shift with guys half my age, so I bring breakfast on Saturday’s for them: lavender muffins, quiche, overnight oatmeal, whatever… it’s a small gesture, and I’m making it anyway, and hopefully it gives them a healthy meal to think about duplicating. I do it because I’m practicing cooking and they don’t mind being guinea pigs.
As far as meetings are concerned, which are a necessary evil of leadership, I always tell my son there is a time and place for everything. Leaders would do well to remember this adage. I use this mnemonic device for meetings and memorandums: UBOTH. Up Beat, On time, To the point and Happening (the old timers word for relevant).
Keep it upbeat and focus on what needs to be done, the positives. Music helps. No one wants to read a memo about all the things they haven’t done. Forget that mess, and move on.
On Time - who wants to attend a meeting that doesn’t start on time? It’s not a good look. Even worse if you have to stay late at a meeting you didn’t want to attend in the first place!
To the Point - make a darn agenda so you don’t get sidetracked.
Happening - make sure it is relevant and helpful - give an example of how to implement this change, not just what needs to be done.
I think a leader is a good example, and you lead by example. Do the right thing, improve yourself and be mindful of other people’s time and energies.
Follow the Leader
Educational Management