Lessons from my first week at The University of Akron

We've come to the end of our first week in Akron. Throughout these days, I met a lot of interesting people, both classmates and professors.

We heard about how powerful clear, direct communication with an understanding of your audience can be. This lesson resonates strongly within the context of leadership. Whether in a company or in government, the ability to communicate effectively is crucial. A leader needs to be able to convey their vision, motivate their team, and negotiate with stakeholders. Clarity in communication minimizes misunderstandings and builds a foundation of trust and mutual respect.

Speaking of sales, we learned how strategic it is to have correct pricing to impact results. Here, I highlight three learnings: price is strategy, profit is non-negotiable, and "discover your price." These concepts can be extrapolated to leadership. Setting "prices," or in other words, establishing expectations and goals, is a strategy a leader should employ to guide their team to success. The "profit," in this context, can be seen as the success or desired end result of a project or initiative. "Discover your price" suggests the importance of a leader understanding the value their leadership adds to the organization or community.

Transforming sales from an art to a science, with the adoption of methodologies like SPIN Selling, highlights the importance of structure and process in achieving results. This shift parallels the evolution of leadership, which increasingly relies on data, feedback, and a behavioral understanding to enhance effectiveness. The Sales Biometric Laboratory at The Fisher Institute for Professional Selling at The University of Akron, which studies human behavior in negotiations with the support of technology, exemplifies how a deep understanding of human reactions can refine approaches and strategies. Similarly, an effective leader must be attentive to their team's reactions and adjust their approach to better meet their needs and motivate them effectively.

Meeting with C-level executives and the mayor of Cuyahoga Falls talking about leadership, challenges, and development, underscored the universality of challenges faced by leaders in all fields. Effective leadership requires adaptability, a deep understanding of current and future challenges, and a dedication to continuous development of both oneself and those one leads.

The importance of networking and lifelong learning that I highlighted as key points of my experience in Akron are equally vital in leadership. Building and maintaining a network of contacts is crucial for any leader, providing a valuable resource of knowledge, support, and collaboration. Likewise, a commitment to continuous learning ensures that a leader remains relevant in an ever-changing world, capable of innovating and adapting to new challenges.

In conclusion, my journey in Akron offered valuable insights not only about sales and communication but also about the essence of effective leadership. The clarity in communication, strategy in setting goals, the importance of data-backed processes and structures, adaptability, and commitment to continuous development are all aspects that resonate both in the academic setting and at the heart of leadership in any sphere. These lessons, when applied, have the power to transform positively how we lead our teams, companies, and communities.