Your Best
A Following Leader
If you haven’t voted in early voting, you still have a chance to vote in local elections this Saturday, May 4, for school board and city council.
This has me thinking about leadership, and the season, Spring, is putting a renewing twist to it.
The title here might seem like an oxymoron: how can a leader follow? If they’re leading others, is it possible to follow too?
Notions of Servant Leadership come to mind. By definition, the goal in this style of leadership is the growth and well-being of those being led, rather than the achievement of the leader, per se.
Christians may be familiar with this leadership style as Jesus’ teachings can be defined this way, in that, He came to save and deliver and died doing it. And then resurrected, which gives us hope, cause for more growth and renewal!
Qualities of servant leaders may include flexibility, listening, empathy and stewardship. Most parents will also recognize these qualities in that they have ample opportunities to practice them in raising their children.
Key principles follow these characteristics naturally and may include authenticity, good communication, integrity, compassion, empowerment, continuous improvement and putting others first. Most of these are self-explanatory but, just to be clear, empowerment is about empowering others to be able to reach their goals and take care of issues themselves. It’s a healthy type of enabling, supporting others toward healthy ends; another renewing perspective.
Service leadership is the most effective leadership style because it’s more inclusive and engaging, which engenders trust. Because of increased caring, everyone involved feels valued. As the vision for the group and goals are shared, everyone participates in the work, the process and the successes. Everyone participates and benefits. The leader’s role is more coordination and facilitation than directive.
Leaders who use this style of leadership are working to amplify everyone’s strengths and encourage leadership from every participant. In this way, it’s a renewal of typical leadership styles where the authority is at the top and everyone just does what they’re told. Engaging everyone is a way to enliven groups, increasing participation and the general well-being of the group as well as each member.
One possible example might be, if there were to be a beautification project for the lakes, to create trails or areas to attract more visitors, a meeting could be scheduled to gauge community interest. Then the leader, using a servant leadership approach, could propose ideas while at the same time inviting ideas from others in the meeting as well as from folks participating in the work, as the project moves forward. So the leader is more of a touchpoint of coordinating ideas and strategies, helping the group navigate toward goals.
What types of leaderships styles do you want to work with?
Be sure to vote!
All feedback welcome! Please feel free to email YourBestHereOlney@gmail. com. All feedback will remain confidential (unless limited by law). Mona Bernhardt, LCSW-S, grew up in Olney, is running for City Council and would like to team up with you for Olney’s best!