Leadership Blog

My mother always told me that December was a time of contemplation for all that we had been given; a time to think about giving back to those who have been a part of our lives over the years.  It seems to me that great leaders make this a practice of their daily routine.  Not just a once a year activity.

My mother knew this. She was a leader at Community Memorial Hospital for over 25 years.  She never missed an opportunity to thank those people around her for their help, their contribution, and their ability to show up and participate in the face of life.  She was able to recognize people not just in word, but in deeds and in her amazing ability to listen. 

I know that my mother always felt she could have been a better leader.  She strived to do what was right.  I am sure that she was amazed as she looked down from her place in heaven during her funeral at all the people that came to honor her. 

Here are just a few of the comments I remember:

“Your Mom hired me 20 years ago and gave me a chance.”

“Your Mom was my Father’s nurse 25 years ago in the ICU and I will never forget her kindness to him and my family.”

“Your Mom helped me – when no one else would.”

“Your Mom believed in me before I could believe in myself.”

“Your Mom was an amazing woman.”

“Your Mom was always there to help.”

“Your Mom was the one that I knew I could turn to for advice.”

“Your Mom showed me what it meant to be a nurse.”

I could go on. Connie Weber was an amazing leader just by being a person who recognized others. 

So I challenge all of us this December to recognize something great in the people we come in contact with. To first seek appreciation for who they are, and let them know you see them, you hear them and you are there for them.

Leadership…is it by luck that you are a good leader? 

We will be meeting on Tuesday, March 16th, the day before St. Patrick’s Day! It is often said that you are lucky if you can be a good leader. I would suggest that luck has very little to do with it.  Sure some people may claim to be born leaders; however, if you lead and no one follows are you a leader?

We will be discussing the qualities of great leaders and why and how we should be carrying those traits into our daily lives.  We will define when and where we should be leaders and how to walk through the fear many us often have regarding leadership.

One of the tools we will learn is how to have a Crucial Conversation*.  Patrice McGuire from McGuire Business Partners will walk us through the art and techniques of having a Crucial Conversation as outlined in the book of the same title.

It is not so much luck that creates great leaders, but desire, passion, determination and hard work.  Becoming a great leader is one of the toughest jobs there is. To learn more, join us for our March session.  To reserve a spot call Toni Yates at the Community Chamber 262 251 2430.

* Crucial Conversations; Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillian, Al Switzler

We (LMF Participants) will be gathering on Wednesday February, 17th to once again focus our time and energy on the topic of leadership and what that means.  We will be focusing on three main topics this month.

First, we will have Beth Harwood from Communications at Work coming in to talk about listening…. Yes, you heard it right, listening.  So often we speak about communication and how to effectively get our message across and not enough about how to take in the information.

Secondly, we will be hearing from Kris Wickline of the CUNA Mutual Group.  Kris will be speaking on the effects of generational differences in the work place.  Have you ever wondered why the new guy is always on his cell phone, why some people find time off so important, or what has happened to the work ethic?  Well those are some of the insights we will be gaining from Kris’ experience as the Consumer Program Manager for Generation Y at CUNA Mutual Group.

Finally, or I should say throughout the day, we will be focusing on teamwork.  How do we truly work with other people to achieve a common goal?  What are the areas that you personally have to help the team, and what do you do to pull from the team’s efforts. 

If you would like to join us, please call Toni at the Community Chamber 262-251-2430.