Staff Leadership
Inland Northwest Council Team (2021-Present)
Caddo Area Council Team (2017-2021)
Conquistador Council Team (2007-2010)
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"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more,
you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams 
Heart of America Council Missouri Field Team (2013-2017)
Golden Spread Council Field Team (2010-2013)
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Great Staff Leaders |
Great staff leaders change us for the better. They see more in us than we see in ourselves, and they help us see it too. They dream big and show us all the great things we can accomplish. Passion, insight and honesty are key components of a successful staff leader.
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Sharing Information |
It is important to share information. Effective staff leaders know that sharing information empowers their employees, instead of diluting their own power.
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Hiring
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Give a lot of thought into hiring. Think of the entire team. Recognize that current staff are going to have to work with the new hire, and they look for someone who will complement the team, rather than just fill in a certain skills gap.
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Celebrate Success
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Celebrates wins! Look for reasons to praise staff, both privately and publicly. Take the time to celebrate milestones, such as birthdays and anniversaries. Understand that getting a paycheck does not negate the need to feel valued and appreciated.
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Respect Time
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Respect your staff's time. Their time is just as valuable as your time. Do not keep them waiting for scheduled meetings. Be prepared and get to the point.
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Be Accountable
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Be accountable. Do not point the finger when something goes wrong. Understand that a large part of your job is being accountable for the team’s performance. This goes along with accepting a leadership role. Certainly, provide the team with feedback and course corrections.
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Accept Feedback
Understanding Communication Style |
No one is right all the time. Feedback is a gift. Effective staff leaders are prepared to accept feedback, including criticism. It is not always easy, but staff leaders who can accept feedback will learn and grow quickly.
One of my first practices with new staff is to share my communication habits and to learn their style, too. (For example, I tend to send emails on weekends but I do not expect responses until Monday.) This exchange prevents misunderstandings, and draws attention to individual differences making staff leadership more fluid and efficient with each team member.
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People Have Lives
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Staff members are multi-dimensional, they have lives outside of work. Remember that staff have families, friends, hobbies and obligations outside of the council.
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Communicate
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Be a great communicator. Provide clear explanations and solid answers. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Leave no room to read between the lines.
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Create Leaders
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An effective leader creates leaders. Have you ever noticed how sometimes all the promotions come from within one manager’s team? That’s no accident. Great bosses pull the very best out of their people. They inspire, coach, and lean into people’s strengths, and when their employees are ready for new challenges, they gladly send them on their way. It is wonderful when members of my team promote in-council or out-of-council.
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Say, "Thank You!"
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Work is more than a transactional relationship. Staff invest a big part of themselves into the work they accomplish. Say, "Thank You."
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