Leading Well Through Service

When you think about good leaders, who comes to mind? Are they tyrants or servants? What are their defining characteristics?

Good Leaders Solve Problems

Often the measure of a leader is his or her ability to accomplish goals and solve problems. If you are reading this, you may be searching for answers to a problem in your organization. Maybe inefficiency or a strained budget are challenges you face. Where there are problems there are opportunities. Opportunities to overcome and make things better.

Good Leaders at Any Level

You don’t need to be a department director to be a leader because leadership is not just about telling people what to do. A leader can also lead ideologically. For example, one could be recognized as the person with good ideas or the one who challenges conventional thinking with the goal of getting the best results for taxpayers. You might be the one to lead your department to better outcomes. Just because it is difficult does not mean it can’t or shouldn’t be done.

Good Leaders Inspire

Beyond pragmatic problem-solving abilities, it also matters how a leader leads. Ideally, a leader is one who inspires those around them to take action toward the common cause. How much better is it when folks around you are working with you rather than against you? That is where inspiration comes in.

If you or someone in your organization is struggling with a health inspection process that includes double-entering or wasting time, it might be up to you to identify a solution and then demonstrate how getting there is the right thing to do. This may mean collecting data and showing return on investment calculations. You will become the champion of the cause.

In the End, Reward

End the end, there will be reward. Sure, the practical needs will be met and efficiency will prevail, but the best part will be the feeling you get when recognized by your peers. You solved this problem. You led well.