THE CARAVAN Volume 7, Issue 2, February 2008


BE THE LEADER THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO FOLLOW

At a time when we need to energize people and produce quality leaders at all levels of our organizations, we need to be sure that our leaders are everything they can be. They set the mood in the workplace. A leader should be respected, open minded and a hard working member of the team.

Respected, not feared;

A leader should earn the respect of the people they work with by showing they have the ability to get the job done; the ability to organize a group to succeed; the ability to resolve issues fairly and promptly and the ability to show respect to others. They earn that respect back not because of the word “Manager” or “Supervisor” under their name but because they are the leader that others admire, trust and want to follow.

Open minded, not ego-driven;

A leader should be open to suggestions from their co-workers. Open minded enough to not just listen to those suggestions but use the ones that can help to improve the workplace as a whole; remembering that everyone is a valuable member of the team. Be gracious, give credit where credit is due and never be afraid to ask others for help. A leader should NEVER let “ego” drive their decision making.

Hard working, not dictatorial;

A leader should work hard at their job. It is their responsibility to set the good example for the working environment. That includes emphasizing team work, generosity, attitude and dedication. Don’t be the dictator that stands up barking orders in your nice clean suit. Put a pair of jeans on and get right in there.

Maybe we should forget the words “Manager” and “Supervisor” and replace them with words like “Team Leader” or “Big Cheese” or even “Head Honcho”. Lead your team as you all work together.

Be the leader that YOU would want to follow.

Peace,



Ted



MOM’S TWO CENTS
By Jordin Williamson

WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE JUST LIKE YOU!

Remember when you were little and you would tell everyone what you wanted to be when you grew up. Some kids would answer doctor, fire fighter, vet, baseball player, you know, the typical answers. Well my response was always “a mommy”. I used to play with my baby dolls like they were real. I fed them and dressed them and even made my mom help me throw birthday parties for them. My book of school memories has a place to check off what you want to be when you grow up and it includes a standard list of choices. My mom had to write in the words “a mommy”. Sound familiar?

Now fast forward to today. When I get frustrated with my kids, do I yell and demand and punish? Do I criticize or nag them? Do I expect too much from them and not enough from myself? What if after I said something my kids followed it with the phrase, “When I grow up I want to be just like you!” Would I be proud of myself or would I change my actions next time?

We talk about celebrities being huge role models for our children. We say how they should remember that someone is always watching them. Sports figures should set a good example and not fight or cheat or use drugs. The reality is that the biggest role model that our children have is us. They are always watching us. They are imitating us and in the end they will to grow up to be just like us. As a parent, I am just like my mother and frankly…I’m proud of it.

So if I know that I am raising little carbon copies of myself then I do the best for them. I set a good example. I will be the parent that I want them to follow and be proud to hear them say…

“When I grow up I want to be just like you!”



Quote of the Month
Submitted by Brodi Mouradian

Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.
- Peter F. Drucker