The LightHeart Institute

Lisa Hill DiFusco

Rochester Leadership Digest – Dr. Jona Wright

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Intentionally Grow Everyday!

By  Dr. Jona Wright

Director for Human Resources, Garlock Sealing Technologies

“I learned about serving others, everyone, regardless of marital status, gender, ethnicity, background, or economic status.”

—

       As a child growing up I would sometimes walk to my grandparents house afterschool, especially if what I heard announced in the morning for evening dinner was not quite appealing. My grandparents did not live far from my grammar school, and around 4:30 p.m. I would hear the phone ring and my grandmother answer, “Yes, she is here. We can bring her back after dinner or why don’t you join us?” My mom was one of seven and my grandfather supported his family with the ownership of auto service stations. It was through stories and stopping by “the station” I became acquainted with servant leadership, yes, at a very early age. I learned about serving others, everyone, regardless of marital status, gender, ethnicity, background, or economic status, especially economic status. I recall stories of my grandfather fixing a
single woman or widow’s car and telling them to pay when they could. I did not understand what this meant until much later in life when I would think about his own need to feed eight mouths at home – servant leadership, putting someone’s else’s needs in front of your own.

My grandfather was my first teacher of my own leadership alignment. As I reflect on the Global Leadership Summit (2018), Criag Groeschel opened with a statement, “a humble leader can learn from anyone.” I have continued my commitment to be a “leader as lead learner,” and have sought different ways to continue my development as a servant leader. Kouzes and Posner’s (2017) Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership are foundations I use every day: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart. While I am inspired by others everyday and the wisdom I gain by serving, I find energy keeping these practices in mind. The five practices help me align my work with others, and keep me positive on a daily basis. As servant leaders, sometimes we need to find ways to knock down obstacles and remove barriers for others for each one to be able to attain his or her goals.

When I learned about the Global Leadership Summit and the fantastic line up of speakers, I was very excited to hear that Dr. Ken Blanchard was going to be a key note live for a lunch program! I was given the  opportunity to join the Rochester-located simulcast for this world-class learning event, and firsthand enjoyed listening to Dr. Blanchard, a leader in the more formal teachings of servant leadership. Dr. Blanchard continued to model the way and challenge our thinking, sharing his thinking on the continued development of servant leadership. He called all leaders to action in a world that needs more leaders serving! John Maxwell shared his passion for learning and it is a lesson I like to carry with me everyday, “intentionally grow everyday.” As leaders we need to be more intentional, in our own learning, growing others and serving to build stronger organizations and better communities. Together, we need to model the way!

Dr. Jona Wright is the onsite Director for Human Resources at Garlock Sealing Technologies in Palmyra, NY. She is a lifelong Rochestarian and enjoys all the Rochester and Finger Lakes area has to offer to support a community of learners, professionally and personally. She recently completed her own learning journey, obtaining her doctorate in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher College in August 2017. Her research centered around creative problem solving and innovation and impacts for individuals and teams. She invites you to consider one simple practice, changing “can’t” and “don’t” to “how might I?” and “in what ways might we…?”. Questions open opportunity!

Rochester Leadership Digest – Dr. Deana L. Porterfield

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Leading for the Betterment of Others

By Dr. Deana L Porterfield

President, Roberts Wesleyan College

“A leader doesn’t have hidden agendas. She or he is clear, honest and transparent, and strives to create genuine relationships both internally and externally.”

—

       John Maxwell states that Leadership is Influence, and I believe our goal in desiring influence should come from a desire to better serve people and our organization. The degree and attitude with which one uses one’s resources to serve others is critical to the impact you can have. If your motivation for influence is self, people will see  through that and you will have less influence. If your motivation is for the betterment of others, people will likewise see that and your influence will expand.

A leader doesn’t have hidden agendas. She or he is clear, honest and transparent, and strives to create genuine relationships both internally and externally. As a purposeful leader, it is important to be an avid promoter of the mission and purpose of the organization, to be completely invested in its success and to communicate  regularly with one’s team. Whether the communication is through a town-hall-style gathering, a community-wide email memo, or simply being personally present.

When it comes to building relationships, engagement is key to developing long-term commitment. The Roberts and Northeastern family of alumni numbers more than 18,000, and they are an important component of our long-term success. Not just as potential donors—they represent a foundation of support through their past  experiences on campus, their years of professional expertise and their broad network of connections around the world. We need their input on many levels, so it is important for me to attend alumni events held throughout the year and set aside January and February for travel to visit alumni, particularly in Florida and Arizona. Although I go as an ambassador for sharing good news and campus updates, it is equally important to hear their stories and their reflections on our work. I learn so much from these interactions and am so grateful for the opportunity to see things from their perspective.

Maya Angelou notes, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” If we honestly esteem the value of all people as created in the image of God, we will reflect that dignity back to them to make them feel good, valued and important. These connections can happen regardless of one’s official position or title, so truly one can become a leader—a person of influence—at every level of an organization. My hope is that my service as leader will demonstrate that principle to each member of our campus community through empathy and authenticity. In keeping with our founder, B.T. Roberts, our faith is our primary motivation for an attitude of vigilant concern that all people, especially those who are oppressed, underrepresented or unfairly treated, deserve our attention, activism and advocacy.

Another important way to empower the people around us is through a strength-based work ethic. Using the Strength Finder inventory tool with our staff and administration has made a huge difference in our ability to grow as a team, develop and maximize each person’s potential and understand each other’s unique slate of strengths. This kind of self-awareness and understanding of one another’s contributions builds trust, confidence and hopefulness as we lean into our future together. Finally, I believe that it is critical for any who would lead to learn to listen well. Having the humility to hear and consider what others are saying is the best way to begin to serve others as their leader. Whether through a formal mentoring relationship or in a casual friendship, a leader will earn respect, foster genuine relationships and steer an organization through all kinds of situations if she can hear and receive input from those around her.

Dr. Deana L. Porterfield has served as president of Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary since 2014. Prior to Roberts and Northeastern, she served at Azusa Pacific University and Azusa Pacific Online University for more than 26 years in various roles, including vice president for enrollment management, chief of staff, senior vice president for people and organizational development, and executive vice president. She holds a master’s degree in organizational management and a bachelor’s degree in music from Azusa Pacific University.

Rochester Leadership Digest – Editor’s Corner and Announcements

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Editor’s Corner – Our Hope

Mikal BrownBy Mikal Harrington Brown

“We need good leadership!” is a plea heard all too often these days. Whether you work in the private, non-profit, or public sector good leadership can be the difference between success and failure. The goal of the Rochester Leadership Digest (RLD) is to provide Rochester and western New York with quarterly reviews and analyses of how people from diverse backgrounds are developing as leaders , and the issues they face.

In August of 2018, New York Times bestseller Ken Blanchard spoke at the Global Leadership Summit in Henrietta, NY. His inspiring message of leadership could be summarized with his closing remarks, “You can make a difference. So often in the past, we think the politicians will do it.” He argued, however, “This is not the case.”

As a reader, I would urge you to realize the power you possess to improve your company, your school, your health center, your place of worship, or your home – and good leadership is the binding agent that connects mission to success.

Though it is a natural gift to some, leadership most often entails a set of skills that need to be learned in order to realize one’s highest potential. That is the mission of the Rochester Leadership Digest: to help upstate New Yorkers develop their own leadership styles. Throughout the rest of 2018 and 2019, we would like to hear from you about the following question: How can you grow as a leader? Our hope is to help you answer this question, along with others, and provide you with information to achieve your goal!

 

Editor’s Pick this Quarter

Servant Leadership in Action: How You Can Achieve Great Relationships and Results

Learn how you can achieve great relationships and results. We’ve seen the negative impact of self-serving leaders in every sector of our society. Not infrequently do they end up bringing down their entire organization. But there is another way. Servant Leaders lead by serving their people, not exalting themselves.

Learn more about this radical leadership model.

 

Rochester Leadership Digest Announcements:

  • Global Leadership Summit – Rochester, NY
    August 8 & 9, 2019
    Register today at RochesterWins.com
  • Between the Summits – Evening presentations to build upon the Summit – Watch for details!
  • Between the Summits – Magnificent Diocese
    Forming Your Parish Leadership Team
    December 5, 2018 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm
    21 Prince Street, Rochester, NY 14607

 

 

4 GLS Tools to Accelerate Your Emotional Intelligence

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Decades of research now point to emotional intelligence as the critical factor that sets star performers apart from the rest of the pack. –Travis Bradberry

At the 2016 Global Leadership Summit, we took a deep dive into a key leadership skill: emotional intelligence (EQ). EQ has been described as the most important business skill for the 21st Century—and it is something that can be grown and developed in anyone.

Emotionally intelligent leaders are aware of their own emotions in the moment and they are able to manage and channel those emotions to build trust. They also sense the emotions of others—and know how and when to make a critical ask. Or when to back down. These leaders navigate challenging emotional waters and come out strong and intact.

  1. During the month of July, our GLS community will focus on the topic of Emotional Intellligence. Here’s how you can follow along.NEW! Download and listen to Episode 005 of the GLS Podcast. In this edition, Bill Hybels discusses how he is working to build emotional intelligence into his staff at Willow Creek. To watch or listen click here.
  2. Download the podcast shownotes. Included in the shownotes is a short summary with key takeaways, a list of links to resources mentioned in the podcast and reflection questions for you and your team.
  3. Gain new perspectives on the Follow the GLS Every week, watch for original posts on Emotional Intelligence from trusted voices in the GLS family. This month, we will feature posts from:
  4. If you belong to a WCA member church, look for the Skills in Action resource: Emotional Intelligence 2.0: Self-Awareness and self-Management. This tool is specifically designed to help you grow the skill-side of your leadership in two key areas of emotional intelligence.

Investing in your growth in self-awareness and the other EQ skills, will pay off in better relationships and more effective working rhythm. So, let’s get started and make July a month to grow in self-leadership—growing our skills in Emotional Intelligence.

 

Written by Liz Driscoll •