Balancing the Scales: A Leader's Journey
Leadership is essential in any organization or group, regardless of its size or purpose. It provides direction, motivation, and coordination, ensuring everyone works towards a common goal. Without effective leadership, teams can become disorganized, morale can decline, and productivity can suffer. Being an effective leader is a lifelong learning journey.
As a child, I was naturally curious and outgoing. I easily made friends and had a knack for getting people to open up. I was tall for my age, had a desire to please, and an ability to organize quickly that led adults to expect more from me. I was often put in charge of group projects, called on to participate, and encouraged to try various sports. My mother relied on me to help at home, and to lead church activities and service projects. Friends sought me out for advice and mediation.
As I progressed through high school, these leadership expectations intensified. I was placed in advanced programs, given complex tasks, and relied upon by a growing circle of friends. Taking on too much, the responsibilities with schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and family life eventually led to burnout - teaching me that living a full life that can also impact others positively requires a delicate balancing act.
It took years of academic and career exploration before I truly understood my leadership path. A mentor helped me recognize my natural leadership tendencies, but also warned me of the potential pitfalls of overextending myself. I have since learned the importance of balance, delegation, and seeking guidance from experienced leaders.
Today, my approach to leadership is personalized. I believe in getting to know each individual, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and empowering them to contribute to the team and organizational goals. This extends beyond marketing to other areas of the business - other departments and customers. In fact, everyone we interact with gives us an opportunity to support and lead.
One of the most rewarding aspects of leadership is mentoring others and helping them reach their full potential. My favorite experiences center around people that didn’t see their own natural gifts and needed someone to show and nurture them toward being a better version of themselves. To watch them learn and grow their confidence is truly a joyful experience.
I have also learned that it’s crucial to remain open-minded and listen to diverse perspectives. Sometimes, the most valuable insights come from the quietest individuals. Although leadership comes with a responsibility to manage others, leaders do not always have the answers. Instead, collaborative efforts often yield the best results.
While leadership can be challenging, it's important to maintain a positive attitude and learn from mistakes. Not everyone will be receptive to you or even like you. Some will even try to undermine the greater good and seek personal gain at the expense of others. But we can always offer kindness and support with the hope they will see the value in collaboration - or wish them well if they, or you, part ways.
Leadership is a lifelong journey, not a destination. There is always room to grow and improve. You will make some mistakes but you will also have some wins. The risk is always worth it. I'm grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to lead and inspire others. I'm committed to using my skills to make a positive impact, and I'm humbled by the trust and support of those I've had the privilege to lead. Together, we have and can continue to achieve great things.