Informed by 25+ years leading, innovating, and impacting with humanity in education, law, and human resources management, my leadership philosophy has taken firm root. And while I teach leadership regularly in my Senior Associate Dean role with
Franklin & Marshall College
, it is how I have embodied it and mentored others to do so in this post-pandemic time that prompted me to memorialize this simple and accessible leadership guide:
- An appreciative leader is collaborative.? Such leaders are not top-down managers who disregard or are threatened by the strengths and contributions of colleagues.? If an organization is to retain talent, its employees must be able to step up and contribute.? If an institution is to thrive in its competitive marketplace, it will encourage these contributions and the co-creation of mission-critical innovations to institutional challenges.? In so doing, the leader creates a community to which people do and want to belong together.
- An authentic leader models humanity.? Humans are imperfect.? They are vulnerable.? They emote and they fail.? They also overcome, evolve and succeed.? The leaders I have most admired in my life are transparent in how they experience the challenges and opportunities of their positions.? They do not hide behind a superhero artifice, but rather, model the creative confidence, humility, and humanity that makes them authentic.? With those ideals modeled so beautifully by trusted mentors, I have embraced the trait of authenticity and transparency in my leadership style, which has made me accessible and relatable to my students and colleagues.
- An effective leader is intentional.? Whether I am engaging with students, parents, trustees, faculty colleagues, or community partners, I am mindful of the common purpose that joins us.? Perhaps born of my time as a lawyer whose time was metered by the billable hour, I am unfailingly purposeful in how I spend it.? I create and share agendas for the meetings I propose, and request those for discussions others seek to have with me.? I conclude meetings with an inventory of the next steps and those who offered to be accountable for the same.? And I follow up with gratitude regularly for those who step up as promised. Intentionality means purposeful.? And purposeful leadership can be remarkably impactful and not just productive.?
- An equitable leader values differences and ensures that its stakeholders have the tools to succeed.? Equity does not mean equal.? It means that those who want to have a seat at the table do and all who want that seat can reach it.? It means appreciating the distinction between “other” and “another,” and curating a community where lived perspectives are honored, shared, and edified.???
- Leadership must be earned. It is not a title, inherent trait, or personality type. It is not a degree or pedigree.? Instead, it is a humble privilege one earns by elevating others selflessly and fearlessly and engaging in acts of integrity rather than just talking about them.?
What are your leadership principles? Please comment and share.
