LEAD BY EXAMPLE: REFLECTING ON INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP

BETSY P. HUMPHREYS, PH.D.

UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

SESSION OBJECTIVES

¡ Explore definitions of leadership

¡ Engage in reflective activities

¡ Identify individual styles & preferences

¡ Share resources

AGENDA

¡ 11:00-11:10 Introductions

¡ 11:10-11:20 Definitions & frameworks for leadership

¡ 11:20-11:40 Values activity & discussion

¡ 11:40-12:20 Leadership Styles & Preferences

¡ 12:20-12:30 Debrief

DEFINING LEADERSHIP

¡ “LEAD (noun): the initiative in an action; an example for others to follow” (Merriam Webster Dictionary)

¡ A proactive process of influencing others “to act for certain goals that represent the values and motivations – the wants and needs, aspirations and expectations- of both leaders and followers” (As stated in the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children Position Statement on Leadership from Burns, 1978, p.19)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP…

¡ Is a lifelong developmental progression;

¡ Increases as individual knowledge and experience deepens;

¡ Results in widening circles of influence;

¡ Is exerted at all levels within an organization or agency.

Maternal and Child Health Leadership Framework. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services, 2009 .

¡ For a more scholarly look at where this theory comes from see Lord & Hall, 2005

LEADERS …

¡ Think about someone who inspires you or someone you aspire to be like.

¡ Write down 5 to 10 characteristics that describe that individual.

PERSONAL VALUES

¡ Review the list of Personal Values

¡ Identify your top 10 values

¡ Do this quickly, what comes to mind first

¡ Now identify your top 5 values

¡ Now identify your top 1 value

PAIR & SHARE

¡ Find a partner and discuss the following:

¡ Together, share a little bit about the person who inspires you and the 5 characteristics you identified.

¡ Do you see them on the list of Personal Values? Do you share values with your person? If so, what?

¡ What is the connection between values and leadership?

¡ How do YOUR top values guide you in your work every day?

INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP

¡ Requires you to know yourself

¡ Be true to yourself

¡ Communicate effectively

¡ Be a role model

Maternal and Child Health Leadership Framework. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services, 2009 .

SELF

OTHERS

ìNorth, South, East & WestUnderstanding Preferences

WHICH “DIRECTION” IS CLOSEST TO YOUR STYLE?

NORTH

¡ Acting, plunge in, try things, “Let’s do it”

SOUTH

¡ Caring, likes to know that other’s feelings/voices have been heard

EAST

¡ Speculating on the big picture and possibilities before acting

WEST

¡ Attention to detail, needs to know who, what, where, when and why before acting

IN YOUR GROUPS GATHER & RECORD

¡ What are the strengths of each style?

¡ What are the limitations of each style?

¡ What style do you find most challenging to work with and why?

¡ What do people from the other “directions” or styles need to know about you so you can work together effectively?

¡ What do you value about the other three styles?

GROUP DEBRIEF

RESOURCES

Kouzes, J. M. & Posner, B. Z. (2012). The Leadership Challenge, 5th Edition. California: Wiley & Son.

Maternal and Child Health Leadership Competencies. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services, 2009 . Retrieved from http://leadership.mchtraining.net/mchlc_docs/mch_leadership_comp_3-0.pdf

North, South, East & West Compass Points: An Exercise in Understanding Group Preferences in Group Work. National School Reform Faculty. Retrieved from https://www.nsrfharmony.org/glossary/