#🌲 # My Leadership Philosophy ![[calendar-plus.svg]] <small>Sep 23, 2022</small> | ![[calendar-clock.svg]] <small>Jan 03, 2023</small> There are many ways to look at leadership - as a [[Leadership is a choice|choice]], a set of skills, or a framework for organizational change. And there are many [[leadership theories|theories of leadership]], but the model that best fits my style is [[Facilitative Social Change Leadership Theory]]. To me, leadership is a process of clarifying [[values]], identifying challenges and opportunities, and exploring possible solutions towards achieving a shared goal that leads to a better team, organization, community or world. > [!important] > The process is more important than the outcome, because it is through the process that we learn and grow as individuals and as organizations. The two people who have most influenced my leadership philosophy are [[What I learned about leadership from my dad and Captain Picard|my father and Captain Jean-Luc Picard]]. From them I learned what I believe are the four key jobs of an effective leader: 1. Develop relationships 2. Facilitate the creation of a shared vision and strategic plan 3. Encourage and empower individuals, and the group, to live up to their full potential 4. Ensure team members have the skills and resources they need to be successful, including a healthy environment for teamwork and collaboration ## My approach to leadership I am a relational and co-creator leader. I believe a leader should be more of a coach and less of a director telling people what and how to do things. My goal is to create what [[Parker Palmer]] calls a "[[community of truth]]" where "truth is an eternal conversation about things that matter, conducted with passion and discipline." No result or outcome will last forever, but the process of discovery and [[dialogue]] can be sustained to continually adapt and respond to change. ### Developing relationships In order to develop strong and healthy relationships, with individuals or organizations, you must first understand them - their needs, [[values]], culture, motivations, communication styles, etc. It is my job as a leader to know the individuals on my team, support their professional development, take an interest in them as individuals and recognize their achievements. I have a strong capacity for empathy and I actively listen to others and their viewpoints. Fostering cooperative relationships is one of my strengths as a leader. ### Facilitating a vision and plan I spend a lot of time at the 30,000-ft level where I can see the big picture and how everything connects. I prefer to involve others in decision-making as we co-create a vision and plan for getting there. As a leader, I have strong conceptual skills and can articulately communicate purpose and meaning to others in the organization so they can imagine possibilities for themselves. This helps everyone feel a sense of ownership and pride in the mission. ### Encouraging and empowering others As a leader, I hope to empower others to make decisions so they can develop into leaders themselves. I like to create a supportive environment by coaching and asking questions to help others discover their own voice and capabilities. I aim to inspire individuals and groups to live up to high expectations not because I have asked them to, but because they want it for themselves. I want every individual on my team and in my organization to feel proud of what they do, understand how it contributes to the overall mission and feel empowered to play their own leadership role. ### Creating an environment for collaboration I work to build and maintain a positive environment where people can thrive and use their skills to the best of their ability. I do this by focusing on what [[Daniel Coyle]] describes as three skills needed to create effective group interactions: 1. building [[psychological safety]], 2. sharing vulnerability, and 3. establishing [[purpose]]. ## Guiding principles [[curiosity|Curiosity]], belonging, and collaboration are the top values that guide my philosophy of leadership. My ultimate goal as a leader is to facilitate a process through which individuals and the organization can continue to grow and thrive, even long after I am gone. ### Curiosity & Lifelong Learning Curiosity drives my deep passion for lifelong learning and is the personal value I hold above all others. I seek to be open and curious in seeking opportunities and experiences for growth and development, and I will always encourage that in those around me. ### Belonging Belonging is my second most important value, and because of my own desire to be part of something greater than myself, I will always work hard as a leader to build a strong sense of community with those I work with. ### Collaboration Another important value that guides my leadership philosophy is collaboration. It is in understanding my own strengths and weaknesses and partnering with others who bring something different that we are able to accomplish something greater than any of us could do on our own. ## What can others expect of me? - I communicate clearly with transparency and authenticity. - I value the opinions and perspectives of others, respect their beliefs, and listen with an open mind. - I am approachable, so others can feel comfortable asking questions and sharing news, both good and bad. - I both seek and give constructive feedback, with a goal of continuous improvement. - I take the time to understand a situation and draft an intentional plan before I jump into doing anything *and* I am adaptable to change throughout planning and implementation. --- #### Sources - [[Leadership Theory and Practice - Northouse 2019]] - [[The Courage to Teach - Palmer 2017]] - [[Facilitative Social Change Leadership Theory - Watt 2009]] - [[The Culture Code - Coyle 2018]]