Leadership Lessons - February 2017

February 2017

VIDEO OF THE MONTH: Are You a Giver or a Taker?

In every workplace, there are three basic kinds of people: Givers, Takers and Matchers.

Organizational psychologist Adam Grant breaks down these personalities and offers simple


	Adam Grant

strategies to promote a culture of generosity and keep self-serving employees from taking more than their share.

Adam Grant has spent years studying relationships at work, and specifically how Givers, Takers, and Matchers fare in the workplace. Across all areas of business, he's found that givers are both the highest and lowest rated populations. He makes the case that nice guys can finish first and "giving" more in the workplace can lead to long term success.

Click here to view this TED Talk video.

ARTICLE OF THE MONTH: Leadership In Today's Workplace

When you focus not only on the "what" of what it takes to be a successful leader but also on the "how", you will see your sphere of influence grow and your career soar.

Most people equate leadership with a specific position or job title. But you need more then a title on the door to have followers. True leadership is the ability to influence people to achieve a better result for an organization or group as a whole. The most effective leaders have a strong sense of self; they understand the qualities that make other people want to follow them. They also know how to adjust those qualities when circumstances require them to do so. The most effective leaders are those who:

Know their own strengths and limitations
Create and effectively communicate a positive, realistic vision
Motivate and inspire followers to reach their potential
Look beyond their own self-interest and encourage others to do the same
Anticipate and manage conflicts fairly and objectively
Exhibit self-confidence
Respect and maintain personal organizational values
Are fair, reasonable, and compassionate
Instill trust
Behave consistently

These leaders develop and articulate reasonable goals and hold people (including themselves) accountable. They are prepared to make difficult decisions and balance the sensitivity of individual needs with organizational needs. Employees not only recognize their power and authority, but they accept it and follow these trusted leaders willingly.

Click here to continue this article from Training Magazine.

Turn the Ship Around: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders by L. David Marquet

Book Review by a TLP Cohort #4 Member

"Leadership should mean giving control rather than taking control and creating leaders rather than forging followers," David Marquet an experienced Navy Officer and captain of the USS Santa Fe, a nuclear-powered submarine. Captain Marquet was responsible for more than a hundred sailors, deep in the sea. In this high-stress environment, where there is no margin for error, it was crucial his men did their job and did it well.

This book inspired me to become a great leader. We work with great employees everyday, but how do we know their true potential? By empowering your employees to think for themselves, you will see them shine. This Captain did just that, he changed the whole game up on his crew. Including the way they trained and executed drills. He took a crew of followers and made them leaders. Yes, I would definitely recommend this book.

Bringing Their Final TLP Project to Life

Howard Weissberg, City of Meriden and Frank Petise, Town of Greenwich decided to team up for their final TLP project. They were exploring the applicability of

e- construction in local municipal agencies. They did such a good job in their project presentation that they were invited to present their findings at a Connecticut State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) meeting.

This was a terrific opportunity for local agencies to engage with state transportation leaders on ways to streamline project delivery processes in the future for state and local roads.

Congratulations on your good work, Howard and Frank!

Pay It Forward - Nominate Someone Today for the TLP Cohort #5

Do you know someone who would be a good candidate for the Transportation Leadership Program? The T2 Center is accepting applications for Cohort #5 until March 1, 2017.

Here is the link to the application and program overview. Don't hesitate to contact Donna Shea if you have any questions or would like to discuss potential candidates.

"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Ghandi