It is critical to always be reflective in your current beliefs and practices. It is also critical to practice what you preach. So I have taken the time to revise my leadership framework after several years in an administrative position.
Personal Mission
My mission is to foster an environment rooted in collaboration, inclusion, and ambitious goal setting, driving team growth and development through supportive, effective communication and constructive feedback that leads to achieving team objectives within clearly defined expectations.
Vision for Leading
I believe a team’s success is directly tied to its collective capacity. When building a team, it’s essential to focus on expanding the abilities of each member so that everyone can contribute meaningfully to the process. This approach maximizes team efficiency and ensures that all components function at their highest potential. Effective leadership requires motivating individuals, setting measurable goals, and establishing clear expectations for all members with a focus on the organizations mission and vision. A leader’s role is not only to guide the team but also to place the right people in positions where they can leverage their strengths while developing areas for growth.
Vision for Organizational Change
Change is an inevitable part of life, and how people respond to it often determines their potential for growth. In business, change is not only necessary but essential for progress. It is the responsibility of a leader to recognize when change is required, collaborate with key stakeholders to develop a plan, and effectively communicate that plan to the entire team.
When I encounter challenges that require organizational change, I take a strategic approach. I begin by clearly defining the issue at hand, ensuring that everyone understands its nature and impact. I then establish measurable goals that are easy for all stakeholders to comprehend. This is followed by a detailed analysis of the organization’s current state, outlining how existing practices affect the work being done.
Lessons learned from past experiences are carefully considered, allowing for the development of strategic priorities that address the desired outcomes, current realities, and those lessons. From there, I create an implementation plan, which includes timelines, budget requirements, employee roles, and actionable steps for executing the change. Any supporting documents that provide additional context are also included.
By following this process, I ensure that the rationale for change is clear and that the goals are well-defined, minimizing uncertainty and emphasizing the positive outcomes. My primary concern is always determining when change is truly necessary. Change fatigue is a real challenge, and this method helps me assess whether a change needs to happen immediately or if it can be postponed.
Vision for Collaboration and Inclusion
Collaboration and inclusion begin with a foundation of trust and respect. When these elements are in place, individuals feel safe to share ideas, take risks, and passionately engage in their work. This environment fosters a sense of value and empowerment, encouraging everyone to contribute, which is essential for problem-solving. Employees thrive in a flexible, supportive atmosphere that promotes creativity, leading to higher motivation and productivity.
Leaders play a crucial role in modeling this collaborative and trusting culture. They must demonstrate honesty, transparency, support, and consistency. Building this culture involves celebrating and acknowledging achievements and providing space for team members to express opinions, suggestions, and concerns in a constructive, purposeful way. Leaders should be active listeners, offering accurate feedback designed to support growth, both individually and as a team.
Vision for Goal Setting, Solution Oriented, and Decision Making
Creating an environment focused on goal setting, solution-oriented thinking, and data-informed decision-making hinges on a deep understanding of team dynamics and individual personalities. I believe the most crucial element is fostering an atmosphere where staff are encouraged to take risks and learn from failures. This requires understanding how each person responds to feedback and delivering it in a way that promotes growth. Setting personal, measurable goals is an effective first step in getting to know team members, showing them that their personal development matters just as much as their contributions to the company.
Once I have a solid understanding of my team, I focus on modeling solution-oriented behavior, grounded in data-driven decision-making. It’s essential to assign team members to roles that play to their strengths, enabling them to thrive and achieve both personal and organizational objectives. Establishing processes that keep discussions positive and solution-focused is critical to maintaining momentum. I do this by providing the necessary tools and setting clear expectations, which helps teams stay aligned with their goals and projects.
Ultimately, every decision must be made with the organization’s mission, vision, and goals in mind. Data should serve as the foundation for choices that drive us toward the purpose of each project.
Vision for Communication
My communication motto is ‘Clear and Concise is Kind.’ When preparing to communicate with stakeholders, I focus on minimizing potential miscommunication by being as specific as possible with fewer words. Over-explaining can create confusion, so clarity is key. I also believe in consistent, honest, and accessible communication, as people often need to hear or read information more than once to fully absorb it.
Creating a culture of transparent communication fosters a trusting environment that enhances every aspect of the workplace. Leaders must establish systems that promote regular, two-way communication, encouraging collaboration and ensuring all voices are heard and valued.
Haden's Corner 