Ten Commandments for Leaders
[7/3/2018] These "Ten Commandments for Leaders" are adapted from a presentation given to participants in an American Leadership Forum retreat for younger Portland civic leaders several years ago at Skamania Lodge in the Columbia Gorge. The commandments represent a distillation of the approach to leadership that I have followed while serving in leadership roles both professionally and as a volunteer for nonprofit, religious and civic organizations.
Infinity Mirror Room by Yayoi Kusama
1. REMEMBER THE SABBATH AND KEEP IT HOLY.
The language here is religious, but the concept can be widely embraced by all who lead. Sabbath is here seen not simply as rest but as “ceasing from work.” While there are many good reasons to maintain a weekly "sabbath" (which by the way can occur on a day of your choosing), one primary reason is self care. Put simply, you can't care for others if you don't take care of yourself.
2. GOOD LEADERS ARE FIRST GOOD FOLLOWERS.
Leaders are formed by imitating the best. These seasoned leaders become your mentors. It helps to Identify and periodically review the lessons and insights you have received from them.
3. MASTER THE ART OF STORYTELLING.
Storytelling begins by knowing those key stories that serve to define your organization’s identity history and mission. Then learn from the best storytellers how you can most effectively and artfully communicate these stories to those you lead. One good place to begin with storytelling is to know your own story and how it led you to doing what you do.
4. EXERCISE YOUR IMAGINATION.
We live in an environment of constant change which brings with it the need for creative adaptation. This means that nurturing the creative imagination is an essential task for leaders who are engaged in either personal or organizational transformation. It is helpful to adopt rituals that support your capacity for creative thinking and action. For inspiration about the creative process, I often turn to Twila Tharp's brilliant book, The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life.
5. DEVELOP A TOOLKIT OF LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
Any leadership style involves a certain set of acquired skills or practices These become the tools we use to move our organizations forward. Continue to seek out tools that will enhance your leadership and bring excellence to your organization. Here are just a few cherished tools from my toolkit: maintain an idea notebook, seek out divergent voices, practice empathy, lead from a "short list," strive toward a shared vocabulary within the organization to communicate a common mission.
6. ATTEND TO THE “WHY” QUESTIONS.
When creating, promoting or assessing programs, others may be consumed by the what, where and how questions but the leader continues to lift up the "why" questions. The correct answer to the why questions take us beyond such statements as: "This is something we have always done." or "We have always done it this way."
7. MASTER THE METRICS.
Know your organization's key numbers (your revenues, expenses, persons served, etc.) and follow the trend lines for these key metrics. This will focus your attention with greater clarity on where you are succeeding and where you are getting into trouble. Attending to the metrics helps to keep you outcome-oriented.
8. EMBRACE TEMPORARY STEWARDSHIP.
Stewardship begins with an acknowledgement of your own mortality and the provisional nature of all our endeavors. We are but temporary stewards of the organizations that we are serve. Someone came before us and someone will come after us.
9. STAY CLOSE TO THE GROUND WATER.
Know who or what nurtures, replenishes or enlarges you at the deepest levels--spiritually, ethically, intellectually and creatively. Regularly take the time to revisit these "wells" of living water.
10. THANK GENEROUSLY AND GENUINELY.
Always acknowledge the team. Organizations that continue to thrive through good times and bad are as the result of a team effort. Giving thanks is more than some we do, it is a way that we can remain oriented to what is central and sustaining in life. A medieval mystic, Meister Eckhart, once said: “If the only prayer you say with your life is ‘thank you’ it will suffice."
