ICMA Gettysburg Leadership Conference May 14-16 2008
This ranks among the best educational experiences I have ever had, especially in the area of the nuts and bolts of Leadership as well as practical theory. In addition to the conference, I read The Killer Angels prior to the conference.
Some general thoughts are:
-The importance of small decisons.
-The importance of luck. You can make your luck, recognize your luck, but sometimes you are just lucky (or unlucky)
-Communication is all important-including knowing the negative. This is something I always emphasize, and after this conference I am emphasizing it with examples.
-Know what is going on-Information (Correct information is essiential.)
-Know your capabilities-know if you are sick or not feeling well and how it may affect your decisons. Perhaps as important, know the capabilities of the people providing you with information.
-Trust your subordinates. Talk/communicate with your subordinates. Take care of your subordinates. If you can't communicate with your subordinates, learn to do so of find someone who can.
-Importance of all personnel. If someone is out and isn't doing their job, it can destroy the mission. Every position and job is important to the mission.
-If you're going to "go for broke", have a backup plan.
-Importance of all personnel. If someone is out and isn't doing their job, it can destroy the mission. Every position and job is important to the mission.
-If you're going to "go for broke", have a backup plan.
-Be as specific as possible in instructions. Don't say "if practicable" unless you mean it.
-Take advantage of opportunities while you can.
-Be aware of how a change in the "Team" will affect the mission and dynamics of the organization. (Team may mean staff, elected officials, community power strucure etc.)
-Recognize the impact of the environment you are working in, try to learn to recognize.
-Know what motivates the "enemy" well as your staff.
-Leaders assumptions may be incorrect. Adjust to reality.
-Select the right "battleground" (if possible) or move the battle to the area best for you if possible.
-Keep focus on the Mission!
-Lincoln focus was on winning the war. Some of his Leadership Style traits were:
-Excellent communication. Used stories and humor.. Ability to grasp the big picture and convey it to the audience. Wrote well
-Political Acumen: Treated people with dignity and respect. Kept his ego under control. Learned from his mistakes. Open and accessable to the public.
-Sense of Timing: Master of timing.
-Patience: Demonstrated patience and empathy.
-Goodness: Cared about people. Listened. Willing to share credit and serve peopole
-Courage.
This was a learning experience that continues. It is hard to encapsulate this, as I continue to review what I learned and learn from the experience. I will update this as I have new thoughts.
A lot of the "learing" actually involved discussing the concepts from leadership behavior (and results) of the Battle of Gettysburg. I have tried to apply some of hte "leadership lessons" to my actual job and will continue to do so.
