Tim’s Thoughts February 2023
Valentine to Leadership
February is Black History Month and I would like to take just a moment to acknowledge the contributions of Black Americans who are dedicated to public service and to leadership in government. As we celebrate great black leaders who have come before, in our local communities and around the world, let us be ever mindful of the change they have inspired. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.” With change comes challenge and we continue to persevere with commitment and love. There is much work for us all to do.
Speaking of love, February is also the month for our celebrated day-of-love, Valentine’s Day. One inspirational writing about leadership comes from The Leadership Challenge. Authors Kouzes and Posner say, “the best-kept secret of successful leaders is love: staying in love with leading, with the people who do the work, with what their organizations produce, and with those who honor the organizations by using its products and services. Leadership is not an affair of the head. Leadership is an affair of the heart.” https://mediate.com/the-best-kept-secret-of-successful-leaders/
Some of their leadership lessons include:
1. Embrace passion and desire:
Passion and desire are not just for romantics. Passion and desire translate to our role as a leader. Great leaders have passion for the work they do. They love leading a team to success. Great leaders also have great desire. They desire to lead a successful organization. Become passionate about leading your team and creating a successful organization.
2. Treat people well (and with love):
This seems pretty straightforward, we all want to be treated well. The truth is that often staff may feel that they have not be treated as well as they should have been. Be kind, generous, and caring. Find unique ways to treat your people well and with respect. The return on your investment in your people will be immeasurable.
3. Show your appreciation:
Our team members come in and work hard each and every day. They put in long hours and do the hard work for our citizens and communities. Our success as leaders is often contingent on the success of our people. Often times the simplest recognition and appreciation makes a huge difference to our team members.
4. Take time to smell the roses:
It has been reported that 250 million roses will be produced for Valentine’s Day. Too often as managers we are busy working to solve problems and serve our citizens the best that we can. We do not take the time to stand back and enjoy the work that we have accomplished and that are doing. Local government work is hard and yet one of the most heart-fulfilling professions. Take time to smell the roses and enjoy the journey as the work that each of you are doing provides for community and quality of life for all our citizens.
I hope to see each of you at our upcoming Winter conference in Harrisonburg on February 15-17. If you have not registered there is still time. Conference co-chairs Angela Lawrence, Richard Douglas, and PDC chair India Adams-Jacobs have worked hard to put together a great agenda. Please join me and your other fellow managers at this great conference.
I would like to welcome new members:
Tammie Collins, Deputy County Administrator, County of Dinwiddie
Allen Dressler, City Manager, City of Covington
Tangela Innis, Deputy City Manager, City of Petersburg