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Rochester Leadership Digest Dana Miller

August 5, 2019 By Daniel Spears

Dana Miller

Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way

Once decisions are made, everyone must be “in  the same boat, rowing in the same direction.”      

       “Lead, follow, or get out of the way!” I am particularly fond of this statement because as a leader you are often both leading and following. It is rare to do one or the other.  Even while leading an organization, you still follow market trends, competition, financial results and other leaders.    

And often while following, you still find yourself leading – setting direction and making decisions.  
      Then there is the third part – “get out of the way!”  This may be read as “Don’t get in the way of people who are leading or following.” But it can also be interpreted as allowing others to do their best without interference or interruption.  
        I have been a manager for more than 40 years working in organizations as small as 5 and as large as 150.  Throughout that time I have developed a management philosophy which includes five points:

  1. There is no such thing as a bad idea.
  2. Leaders must listen to and consider all points of view.
  3. People closest to the front lines generally have the greatest insight as to how to solve problems.
  4. Leaders need to be decisive and make decisions even when they don’t have all the information at their fingertips.
  5. Once decisions are made, everyone must be “in the same boat, rowing in the same direction.”

       Problem solving is the most critical skill required of a manager. We are often presented with challenges that must be overcome, and a decision made. We ask for input, we review data, and we test theories. But ultimately what people want from us is a decision. Do we go this way or that way? Do we stop now, or go farther? Do we invest more, or do we redirect (always) limited resources to a more deserving project? A manager often stands alone in decision-making, all eyes looking to her or him for a decision. Oftentimes once a decision is made, “winners” leave and celebrate, and “losers” quietly point out the idiocy of the decision.

       This often causes the plan to fail because without everyone “rowing in the same direction” you are doomed. It is critical that we honestly say to everyone “I believe that I understand your point of view; I believe you understand my point of view; and even though we may not agree, I’d like you to support the decision.” This allows everyone to know that their input has been honestly considered and that when the decision is made, everyone is able to get onboard—to help lead, follow, or get obstacles out of the way.

My current position as Director of Development Services for the City of Rochester includes responsibility for Business Development, Project Development, Housing, Real Estate and Credit Underwriting.  We need to increase the businesses in our city to create more jobs and services for our residents, commuters and visitors.  We also need to increase the number of housing units in our city, for people of all income levels, while removing or renovating blighted units.  We can only do this with a clear vision. The city recently released its comprehensive plan “Rochester 2034”, which defines our vision.  

        Now defined, I believe leadership and the proper management philosophy of helping everyone to get on board, will move us onward to success.
       Dana Miller is a life-long resident of Rochester. He attended Monroe Community College and the University of Rochester where he received an MBA from the Simon School of Business.
       Dana spent 34 years of his career at Xerox Corporation where he held a series of technical management positions. Following Xerox he spent 9 years as Vice President of Advancement for the Rochester Area Community Foundation.

Filed Under: Rochester Leadership Digest

Rochester Leadership Digest Manish Dixit

August 5, 2019 By Daniel Spears

Manish Dixit

World-Class Leadership at the 2019 Global Leadership Summit

Enterprise Solutions Architect
Xerox Corporation

        Earlier this year I switched to a different group at Xerox and was struck by how different the pace and  culture of the new team was, compared to my previous group. Despite a steep learning curve, seemingly impossible deadlines, and a global team operating in different time zones, I observed  teammates having a greater ability to help and support. When I asked them about it, they attributed it to trust and           relationships. 

I was reminded of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni. I read it again, and was amazed at how on-point it still is, almost two decades since it’s original release in 2002, highlighting trust and vulnerability as the top two things to work on, when building a strong team. 

Patrick Lencioni will be one of the speakers at this year’s Global Leadership Summit!

He will unpack his new work on motivation and how it shapes our leadership.
      I have recently started reading one of Patrick’s  other books “The Ideal Team Player,” which is also going to be   available at the Summit’s Resource  Center.
      2019 is my third year as a Resource Coordinator and a member of the planning committee for the Global Leadership Summit hosted by The LightHeart Institute. I’m looking forward to the high quality content sharing and to meeting my fellow community leaders. 

  

     

Filed Under: Rochester Leadership Digest, Uncategorized

Rochester Leadership Digest GLS Panel

August 5, 2019 By Daniel Spears

Cultivating Creativity & Community in Rochester

Friday, August 9th
The Global Leadership Summit, Hilton DoubleTree on Jefferson Road

Join us on Friday, August 9th for, Cultivating Creativity & Community in Rochester. Our panel features some of Rochester’s most talented emerging leaders: Danielle Raymo, the founder of Rochester Brainery and co-founder of Upstate Social Sessions; Leah Stacey, the co-founder of Upstate Social Session and Associate Producer of Rochester Cocktail Revival; Emily Hessner Lynch, the founder of Serve Me The Sky and director or I Heart ROC; and Daniel Schniederman, the co-chair of Maker Faire Rochester and FIRST Robotics Finger Lakes Planning Committee. Our panel will be moderated by Meredith C. Bullock, an entrepreneur, visual artist and writer. We’re thrilled to bring this discussion to this year’s Global Leadership Summit and to elevate & learn from our the millennial generation and their endeavors. 

Filed Under: Rochester Leadership Digest

Rochester Leadership Digest Mikal H.W. Brown

August 5, 2019 By Daniel Spears

Editor’s Corner

Mikal H. W. Brown

I would also ask that as we pursue the ideals discussed over this past year,  we absorb, and break down the ideology, and questions raised, so that   our  leadership may be greatly enhanced. As we move into the second year I look forward to accomplishing great things together.

        It is amazing to think that only one year ago the beginnings of the Rochester Leadership Digest (RLD) were being formed. Readers have been treated to a variety of points of view on a plethora of topics. So it is here that I would like to take some time to say thank-you to all of our readers, those who shared the Digest, and those who contributed to this endeavor.

Announcements

  • Global Leadership Summit
    August 8 & 9, 2019
    Hilton DoubleTree on Jefferson Road
    For information and registration, visit RochesterWins.com
  • Between the Summits – Evening Presentation
    October 2019 – Watch for Details!

The Key to successful leadership is influence, NOT authority
~ Ken Blanchard

Filed Under: Rochester Leadership Digest, Uncategorized Tagged With: Annoucements, Editors Corner

Global Leadership Summit

August 5, 2019 By Daniel Spears

Filed Under: Rochester Leadership Digest, Uncategorized

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