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Rochester Leadership Digest Dr. Jack Best
Collaborative Leadership
By Dr. Jack Best
“Just tell them what to do,” said my school superintendent when I had accepted the position as his high school principal in 1977. But his advice was far removed from the dissertation I had completed in 1972: “The relationship between morale and one’s participation in making decisions that affect his work.” The study proved that one’s morale and satisfaction with his job or profession was positively related to his participation in decisions that affected his work. Those who were involved as much as they desired has the highest job satisfaction. Those who wanted more involvement weren’t so satisfied.
47 years later, the findings still apply. Good and effective leaders want to involve their employees. Employee morale improves and their production increases because they feel better about their work.
Forbes published an article in April 2018 about how to involve employees in decision-making. Mike Kappel wrote that involving staff in decision-making can make one’s business stronger. It shows that their input is respected, their opinions have value and their commitment to the organization’s mission can be trusted.
Participative decision making also increases support for the decisions that are made. New ideas and fresh perspectives need to be encouraged and cultivated.
Suggestion boxes still work, if management takes the time to follow up with the suggestor and compensate them appropriately.
Leadership teams can meet with management regularly and share ideas both ways. Who gets credit for or takes responsibility for the decision’s outcome will depend on the decision-making style. At times, the group will make the decision. At other times, the leader (CEO, Superintendent, boss) will decide based on the ideas from the team. And when time is short or expedience is required, the leader acts autocratically based on the solutions obtained through discussions with group members. But regardless of style, collaborative practices are not only respectful, they are the best route to creating organizations or communities that thrive.
Dr. Jack Best founded Best Times Financial Planning in 1982. Today he helps others transition into the second half of life making a difference in the people and causes that are important to them. Jack is a long-time member of the Penfield Rotary Club and Past Director of Rotary International.
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Rochester Leadership Digest Editor’s Corner and Announcements
Written by Mikal H. W. Brown
As we approach the middle of the year, you may be experiencing the close of a school year, a quarter, or a mid-year financial review. I urge you during this time to take time for your personal goals for the year.
Thus far, have you made progress with your personal growth? Have you seen a change in the way your staff, co-workers or family work together? Do you see places where you failed, and if so, what have you done to address this? As you consider these questions, I would like to leave you with a few thoughts until our next issue.
As a leader it is prudent to have a clear goal in mind so that you don’t go adrift in your plan for the future. The catastrophic effects are apparent regarding not understanding your focus and the role that you fill. The results are ostensibly evident as expressed in Rehnuma Karim’s article regarding Kodak and their opinion of the digital revolution.
To have this type of leadership and purpose, one must move past looking at his or her position and see it as a calling rather than a career. This ideal can provide you with new horizons of possibility. The ideology of striving to follow one’s passion affects the results as you lead the people around you.
Lastly, the doctrine of Servant Leadership is something to which I subscribe. Whether you are running a B-Corporation, are a mid-level manager, employee, parent or student, the opportunities to employ Servant Leadership are plentiful. By taking care of others, you will find that others begin to have a willingness not heretofore seen.
Editor’s Choice
If you have ever considered leadership, I am sure that you’ve come across John Maxwell.
In this book Maxwell discusses changes that must occur in organizations to maintain relevancy and achieve goals. I once heard a statement that sums up this book’s objective, “You manage resources, yet you lead people.”
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
Motivational Speaker Jim Johnson
June 11, 2019 5:30-7:30pm
Lovin’ Cup – 300 Park Point Drive, Rochester, NY – $10 at the door - Between the Summits – Magnificent Diocese Group Discussion
June 19, 2019 6:30-8:00pm
21 Prince Street, Rochester, NY 14607
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