A gripping beginning folded into an all encompassing conclusion. The content takes several readings to digest just how complicated being an effective leader can be. I have been a student, teacher, and recipient of various leadership styles throughout my professional and personal life. Most times when I deal with people, I fall back on what my Mom instilled into me as a child(student): "Treat Others as You would like to be Treated". Starting with this simple but very powerful approach often dictated the style of leadership I would engage in when working with others. It kept me humble, it made me listen before speaking, and it started off the discussions without emotions directing my words. As an instructor at the Coast Guard's Leadership and Management School for four years, I remember when I was still learning the curriculum. I observed my mentors who were the supposed "experts" in leadership and management. I learned the sanatized curriculum and models used to reinforce effective leadership. I provided training based on that curriculum and models. It wasn't until I had taught for awhile that I realized I didn't know shit about being an effective leader. It was my students who taught me based on their real life experiences. Once I had this "ah hah" moment, I then became a more effective instructor. I still didn't have my own personal experience, but I used their experiences to provide "real life" examples. This is when I really felt I was making a difference in the way my students started to think about leadership.
So, thanks, Steve for reminding me how important it is to stop and listen before engaging. I have worked with great leaders and not so great leaders and learned from both.
And, thank you for yet another great article. BZ shipmate.
A gripping beginning folded into an all encompassing conclusion. The content takes several readings to digest just how complicated being an effective leader can be. I have been a student, teacher, and recipient of various leadership styles throughout my professional and personal life. Most times when I deal with people, I fall back on what my Mom instilled into me as a child(student): "Treat Others as You would like to be Treated". Starting with this simple but very powerful approach often dictated the style of leadership I would engage in when working with others. It kept me humble, it made me listen before speaking, and it started off the discussions without emotions directing my words. As an instructor at the Coast Guard's Leadership and Management School for four years, I remember when I was still learning the curriculum. I observed my mentors who were the supposed "experts" in leadership and management. I learned the sanatized curriculum and models used to reinforce effective leadership. I provided training based on that curriculum and models. It wasn't until I had taught for awhile that I realized I didn't know shit about being an effective leader. It was my students who taught me based on their real life experiences. Once I had this "ah hah" moment, I then became a more effective instructor. I still didn't have my own personal experience, but I used their experiences to provide "real life" examples. This is when I really felt I was making a difference in the way my students started to think about leadership.
So, thanks, Steve for reminding me how important it is to stop and listen before engaging. I have worked with great leaders and not so great leaders and learned from both.
And, thank you for yet another great article. BZ shipmate.
Your friend in life,
Steve Custer
Thanks for the thoughtful reply Steve! This is why you need to be writing these and not me!