Reading the first part of A Leader's Legacy really made me think about what it is to be a leader. To be a leader you need to be able to not only do the dirty work, but also be able to show the people working under you that you are not above them, but that you are like them. This had reminded me of this past summer when I began coaching field hockey. I went back to my high school to begin coaching these girls, but the program has historically not been a successful one. It is hard to motivate people to want to win when they are just so used to losing. It took almost the whole season but finally I had had enough and could not handle the losing attitude anymore. I had to sit my team down and tell them my story. I had to tell the players that not that long ago I was a member of the same team, I would even still wear my t-shirts to practice, and tell them it is no longer okay to lose. We need to win and we need to want to win. Telling them that I had faced the same exact competition and the same attitude had helped them to change their attitude. I believed in them and knew that they had the abilities to win and finally they did. They went on a roll to win the rest of the games (even thought it was only 7 games).
Being a leader does not mean that you are immune to the feelings that those below you feel. You need to feel the way that they do and try to understand why. Once you can understand why the people working for you feel and act the way they do, you can try to help them. This is what it means to be a leader. You need to relate to the other employees, and show them you did not just appear in your position, but that you had worked your way up and earned your spot. You were once in their shoes, and you were them.
Kelli it seems like you are getting a great grasp of how a leader leads best when they are working WITH their team as opposed to over/around them. Getting on the same level as everyone creates that atmosphere of understanding, like you said, and winning 7 games is a great accomplishment!!
ReplyDeleteI have found that being a leader makes you more susceptible to the "wins and losses," especially if you give your all to the team.
Seems like you have a great foundation for leadership and understanding for implementing that team attitude.
Great work,
Shelby Bukhenik (Gamma Phi Beta - EH, Chapter advisor)
I appreciate your story about the field hockey team because I think it highlights the need for leaders to understand who they are leading. Sharing your history with the team seemed to give them a better connection to you which may have helped their attitude. Like it says in the book: the most influential leaders are those closest to you so the more of a personal connection you have with someone the more willing you are to work with them as a leader.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to get to know you better through GLAD!