Leadership in ESA - concepts and ideas
ESA's unique program provides members with training, education and support they need to promote successful public service projects, while developing personal and professional skills in management, public relations and leadership. Always ahead of its time, it has blazed new trails in volunteerism and has become a primer leadership organization." - ESA Headquarters
Learning the basics of Leadership is a regular part of our participation in ESA. At all levels of ESA, we continuously place members in positions of leadership. Leadership training is offered to our members at all levels of the organization with "certified leadership training offered by ESA Headquarters on a yearly basis. State and District meetings offer workshops and opportunities to perfect our leadership skills and training. Being a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International builds skills that promote a person's professional life. It pays to belong to ESA!
Learning the basics of Leadership is a regular part of our participation in ESA. At all levels of ESA, we continuously place members in positions of leadership. Leadership training is offered to our members at all levels of the organization with "certified leadership training offered by ESA Headquarters on a yearly basis. State and District meetings offer workshops and opportunities to perfect our leadership skills and training. Being a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International builds skills that promote a person's professional life. It pays to belong to ESA!
Leading for Change and How it can happen for ESA
“If it’s lonely at the top, you’re not doing something right.” - Maxwell
Verneene Forssberg - compiled from a J.C. Maxwell's article: Recently, we are hearing a lot about change in ESA. We do need to make changes that will make us an organization that today’s new member will be attracted to and want to join. Change is not only inevitable, it is a process that needs goal setting and developing a new blueprint for the future that all can become involved and support. Devote the time necessary to present your ideas of change.
Effective change requires a joint effort of your membership. In order to effect changes in your state you will need your board and the membership to understand and support the changes you plan to make. This requires thoughtful and purposeful planning on your part. Otherwise any small change you make will soon disappear and have no impact on your organization.
The secret to effecting the changes you want to make is thoughtful planning ahead of time with the motive to improve the future of the organization.
- Together analyze and assess every facet of your current methods and activities
- Develop a mission statement
- Carve out a blueprint for the future of your council’s new activities
- Set goals that will get your council to operate within your mission statement
- Gradually transform those goals into habits
- Be willing to modify the plan as needed
- Make sure you have an accountability processor
Effective change requires a joint effort of your membership. In order to effect changes in your state you will need your board and the membership to understand and support the changes you plan to make. This requires thoughtful and purposeful planning on your part. Otherwise any small change you make will soon disappear and have no impact on your organization.
- Devote the time necessary to present your ideas of change.
- Together analyze and assess every facet of your current methods and activities.
- Develop a mission statement which will become the concrete foundation of your new methods.
- Carve out a blueprint for the future of your council’s new activities.
- Set goals that will get your council to operate within your mission statement.
- Gradually transform those goals into habits.
- Be willing to modify the plan as needed.
- Take it one day at a time.
- Make sure you have an accountability processor.
The secret to effecting the changes you want to make is thoughtful planning ahead of time with the motive to improve the future of the organization.
Marsha Barnes - 2011-2012 KSC President: Have you ever put something off? Something you knew you needed todo? Do you have a tendency to Procrastinate? I do. I read a book recently that I identified with and thought that you might too. The name of the book is “Eat That Frog”, by Brian Tracy.
Mark Twain once said that if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long. (Kind of like - “eat your vegetables first”.) Your “frog” is your biggest, most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don’t do something about it. It is also the one task that can have the greatest positive impact on your life and results are important. If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first. This is another way of saying that if you have two important tasks before you, start with the biggest, hardest, and most important task first. I find I have to resist the temptation to start the easier task. But, if you have to eat a live frog, it does not pay to sit and look at if for a very long time! Think back on a time when you FINALLY completed one of those projects that you kept putting off. How did you feel when it was done? The rest of the day went better didn’t it? We are designed mentally and emotionally in such a way that task completion gives us a positive feeling. Whenever we complete a task of any size or importance, we feel a surge of energy, enthusiasm, and self-esteem. The more important the completed task, the happier, more confident, and more powerful you feel about yourself and your world. Following is a list of things Tracy put together as a reference to use in trying to do better in not procrastinating:
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Some Leadership Articles to enjoy and learn from are available below.
RECOMMENDED READING: "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson, M.D. (one of the authors of "The One Minute Manager") Go to www.whomovedmycheese.com to find out more about the book. It is a quick read and it's simple lessons can be applied to most anything you find yourself involved in these days. An excellent book to resource to find simple ways of adapting to the changes we are facing in our organization.
The importance of laughter in your leadership is highlighted in this article.
A fun exercise for your chapter to explore their own leadership using a simple analogy
Everyone has their own personality that they bring to leadership and each has its own special challenges and benefits,.
Using our technology is important
Another technology tool that is simple and easy to use.
What kind of leader are you and why do people follow you?
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What is Leadership?
by Kim Kummer - 2010-2011 State President
Webster’s defines leadership as: To conduct along the way: guide; To live: pursue; To tend toward practice of a given result . Those definitions describe the attitudes and desires of the ESA members that are fortunate enough to attend the Annual
Leadership Training Seminar each winter. Let’s look closer at the definitions.
To conduct along the way: guide. As officers or committee chairs in our chapters, districts or the state council we each have the task of planning / leading meetings. What type of a meeting do you like to attend? Motivational meetings bring the best attendance. What is a motivational meeting? They include FIVE main points FUN: More gets done when we are having FUN. FUN keeps people together and keeps them coming back for more.
Leadership Training Seminar each winter. Let’s look closer at the definitions.
To conduct along the way: guide. As officers or committee chairs in our chapters, districts or the state council we each have the task of planning / leading meetings. What type of a meeting do you like to attend? Motivational meetings bring the best attendance. What is a motivational meeting? They include FIVE main points FUN: More gets done when we are having FUN. FUN keeps people together and keeps them coming back for more.
- FUN: More gets done when we are having FUN. FUN keeps people together and keeps them coming back for more.
- TALENT: Focus on the TALENTS of your members. We all have a TALENT – utilize your member’s TALENTS. This makes them feel useful and needed – they have a reason to attend and participate. Use and demonstrate the TALENTS of your membership at each meeting even if you have to create a “Spotlight”.
- FUNCTION: Do the business that makes the organization FUNCTION. Evaluate your agenda by taking each item and asking yourself, “Can we function without this item?” if you can, eliminate or save it for another time. The reading of minutes and treasurer’s reports – these can be emailed ahead a time – they are not required for a meeting to function; if there is an issue, discuss it, but look for the elements of the meeting that are needed to function. Discuss the upcoming bake sale and how much FUN you will have and the TALENTS of the wonderful cookie baker in your group.
- INSPIRATION: Whether you bring in a St. Jude Children’s patient; a story of a client helped, a scholarship recipient, a person who has received some of the benefits of your work through a state or local project, help your membership to see what “good” their work creates.
- FRIENDSHIP: Provide time for members to get to know one another through friendship exercises or social time, planned as a part of the meeting. Most people come to meetings because they will get to see other people they like. If there is not time to be together for fun & friendship, the chances of people coming are greatly reduced. Plan “FRIENDSHIP times”. Friendship is the glue that keeps ESA together.
- Limit formal business to 2 to 2 ½ hours for state meetings; 30 minutes to 1 hour for chapter / district and committee meetings.
- Provide more opportunity for the membership to participate in the agenda program
- Provide new challenges, new ways to participate for the general membership
- Maximize the opportunities for recognition of individual and chapter achievements
- Provide “brainstorming” and planning time for future projects & sharing of recent successful projects
- Provide materials/information that individual participants will find useful in everyday life!
- Make “FUN” additions to the program to create enthusiasm and continuing interest
- Personal touches to involve presidential themes, etc.
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FUN, TALENTS, FUNCTION, INSPIRATION & FRIENDSHIP.
To Live: pursue. To tend toward practice of a given result {practice that led to success.} The first thing I thought of was our Opening Ritual when I read these two definitions. “Members of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, we meet again to pledge ourselves to anew to the vows of ritual which we accepted in the golden glow of a candle-lighted room. Let us be ever mindful of the responsibilities we pledged to ESA, keep faith with ourselves and all members, be tolerant and sincere and ever worthy to wear the badge that symbolized virtue, honor, truthfulness, friendliness and attractiveness.” What did we pledge to do? OUR PLEDGE:
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Do your plans for the coming year reflect our pledge?
To tend toward practice of a given result . Plan motivational meetings, it may take time to change what has always been done; that is okay and to be expected. Practice Practice Practice and soon it will become familiar. Strive to live up to the ESA pledge every day – this practice will lead to success not only personally but also professionally. When others notice your success & leadership use this stepping block to introduce them to ESA. Kim Kummer |
Five Things to Practice for Effective Communications
Contributed by Susan Winters, 2012-2013 IC President
Having effective communication skills is imperative for your success. Positive communication will certainly increase the opportunities you find in your career and business. Having good communication skills will enable you to get ahead in certain areas where others who are less assertive may not succeed. A few things to keep your eyes on while practicing the fine art of communication are:
Body Language: Do not shy away from the person with whom you are speaking. Be sure to maintain a relaxed, but not slouching posture, regardless whether you are the one speaking or listening. Other things that ensure your body is communicating your attentiveness to the conversation can include:
Communication Consistency: Maybe your weakness is in the quality or quantity with which you communicate to your employees. Communication seems to have dwindled to superficial small talk. Great communicators practice the ability of consistent communication by remaining available. Do not be afraid to be the one who voices any concerns or difficulties. However, ensure that you are practicing open and honest communication with those who may depend on you. Be available and bold with tact.
Be sure to leave communication lines open to those who may need to address problems with you. You will find that you prevent the small issues that normally have the habit of becoming large ones by making those in your life aware that you are open to discussing issues at any time.
PatienceDuring your communications with others always give them time to communicate their issues as well. Remaining focused on what they are trying to communicate will show them that you are indeed open to assisting with their issues. Many of people’s communication lines tend to break down on the side where impatience is in a rush to get out of the conversation. Since you cannot control the other side, do yourself a favor and take a breath. The conversation you’re involved in is important.
If you are confused as to what someone may be requesting, than repeat back to him or her what you think they said and ask if that is correct. Often this will inspire the speaker to be more in-depth about their needs, which will help you to understand them fully.
Practicing Effective Communication SkillsIf someone has communicated a need or an issue to you, then your main priority should be to aid him or her in repairing the problem. Following up on an issue is the only way to convince others whom you need to communicate with that you have listened to them and that their problems or issues are important to you as well.
Practicing strong follow-up will also leave the impression that you are involved in the bigger picture. When people see this commitment, they will know you are open to future communications. This creates a loyal and discerning surrounding that cultivates positive movement and communication. This will develop a strong sense of confidence in those with whom you communicate.
Conclusion: Since the world is so incredibly diverse and communications come in such a wide variety of forms, it is important to know many appropriate and helpful interpersonal skills. By practicing the few suggestions found here, you will find yourself understanding more of what people say and repeating yourself less to other people. Your co-workers and friends will have the confidence to come to you when they find themselves in need. Remember, great communication skills take practice. Do not give up on Day One. Your ability to express yourself will grow almost daily as long as you apply yourself in improving communication skills.
Methods of Communication: Email/Email Blasts, ESA News, Facebook, Pinterest, Snail Mail, State and ESA Website, State Meetings/Leadership Seminars, State News Letter/Bulletins, Telephone, Texting, Twitter, You-Tube, Webinar
Body Language: Do not shy away from the person with whom you are speaking. Be sure to maintain a relaxed, but not slouching posture, regardless whether you are the one speaking or listening. Other things that ensure your body is communicating your attentiveness to the conversation can include:
- Making eye contact.
- Nodding occasionally to acknowledge a strong point in the conversation.
- Standing with hands clasped in front of you, never crossing your arms.
- Not displaying nervous ticks such as wringing hands, picking at your nails, or anything that the person communicating with you will view as a distraction from their conversation.
Communication Consistency: Maybe your weakness is in the quality or quantity with which you communicate to your employees. Communication seems to have dwindled to superficial small talk. Great communicators practice the ability of consistent communication by remaining available. Do not be afraid to be the one who voices any concerns or difficulties. However, ensure that you are practicing open and honest communication with those who may depend on you. Be available and bold with tact.
Be sure to leave communication lines open to those who may need to address problems with you. You will find that you prevent the small issues that normally have the habit of becoming large ones by making those in your life aware that you are open to discussing issues at any time.
PatienceDuring your communications with others always give them time to communicate their issues as well. Remaining focused on what they are trying to communicate will show them that you are indeed open to assisting with their issues. Many of people’s communication lines tend to break down on the side where impatience is in a rush to get out of the conversation. Since you cannot control the other side, do yourself a favor and take a breath. The conversation you’re involved in is important.
If you are confused as to what someone may be requesting, than repeat back to him or her what you think they said and ask if that is correct. Often this will inspire the speaker to be more in-depth about their needs, which will help you to understand them fully.
Practicing Effective Communication SkillsIf someone has communicated a need or an issue to you, then your main priority should be to aid him or her in repairing the problem. Following up on an issue is the only way to convince others whom you need to communicate with that you have listened to them and that their problems or issues are important to you as well.
Practicing strong follow-up will also leave the impression that you are involved in the bigger picture. When people see this commitment, they will know you are open to future communications. This creates a loyal and discerning surrounding that cultivates positive movement and communication. This will develop a strong sense of confidence in those with whom you communicate.
Conclusion: Since the world is so incredibly diverse and communications come in such a wide variety of forms, it is important to know many appropriate and helpful interpersonal skills. By practicing the few suggestions found here, you will find yourself understanding more of what people say and repeating yourself less to other people. Your co-workers and friends will have the confidence to come to you when they find themselves in need. Remember, great communication skills take practice. Do not give up on Day One. Your ability to express yourself will grow almost daily as long as you apply yourself in improving communication skills.
Methods of Communication: Email/Email Blasts, ESA News, Facebook, Pinterest, Snail Mail, State and ESA Website, State Meetings/Leadership Seminars, State News Letter/Bulletins, Telephone, Texting, Twitter, You-Tube, Webinar
Decision Making Defines Good LeadershipEvery leader must be capable of making good decisions and making them in the proper time frame to make the best impact. Decision making does not happen in a vacuum – it is a process of preparation and planning. There is a degree of luck with this intertwined with the group history. Most good leaders do know in their “gut” what decisions should be made whether or not they make the decisions. Unfortunately, sometimes the tough decisions are avoided.
Making the tough decisions takes character as well as the courage to act. Decision making follows three preparation pathways:
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LEADERSHIP NOTES FROM MARSHA:
Naturally becoming a motivational leader is part of our tasks as we develop leadership skills. We are reminded that the #1 leadership skill is developing the ability to motivate people. The following items are reminders to take into consideration when motivating people:
Marsha Barnes |