Leadership is a relationship.

I was really dragging to start reading and writing this blog, the novelty of the first reading and blog entry had worn off for me and I was not looking forward to more work than I already had on my plate. But, I had made a commitment to making the best out of my 8 weeks in GLAD and that including doing all the assignments. I will not make the same mistake next week. I learn so much from reading this book and from reading other people’s blogs that it makes me excited to see what will come in next week’s section (I guess I could start the blog earlier than the day it is due but what fun is that?—Clearly I am still working on my time management skills).

“Leadership is a relationship” is the first line in the section and to me is the most important. In order for a person to respect their leaders they need to develop a relationship with them and know about them and what influences them. How can you respect and trust a person’s decision if you don’t know anything about them? True leaders need to be candid and open about who they are and their values.

In relationships you want the other person to like you and the same is true of leaders and their subordinates. Wouldn’t you work harder for someone you like rather than someone you hate? Although not everyone is going to like a particular leader, there will always be haters who don’t agree with a certain decision or policy, it is important for leaders to want to be liked. I love the quote in the book that says, “If people don’t want to be liked than they probably don’t belong in leadership.” I think this is really true a leader should want their constituents to genuinely like them.

These were the most important parts of the section to me. And I am now excited to say that I am officially half done with the book and my blog entries…and doing today’s wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought!