Leadership Lessons

May 2016

VIDEO OF THE MONTH: Everyday Leadership Can Be Achieved by You

We have all changed someone's life - usually without ever realizing it. Drew Dudley calls on all of us to celebrate leadership as the everyday act of improving each other's lives. Drew Dudley believes leadership is not a characteristic reserved for the extraordinary. He works to help people discover the leader within themselves.

Click here to watch this informative but entertaining video.

ARTICLE OF THE MONTH: People Judge You Based on Two Criteria When They First Meet You

On May 18th we kicked off the Spring Public Works Academy. In the first session, titled Professionalism & Communication Skills participants discussed trust and respect. This article from the Business Insider has tied the discussion nicely to how you can support these important concepts as their leaders.

People size you up in seconds, but what exactly are they evaluating? Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy has been studying first impressions...and has discovered patterns in these interactions

To find out more click here.

The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins

Book Review by a TLP Cohort #4 Member

I would recommend this book to someone who is starting a new job, promoted to a new role or taking on a new team.

It provides valuable insight to individuals on how to handle the first three months to ensure you start on the right foot and it gives examples of good and bad choices and the results of these choices. Michael Watkins shows how team management is the key to success for all levels of management. This book focuses more on the sales and marketing side of business, but overall is helpful for the municipal leader as well.

Thrive in Your Job - Tracy Knofla

Have you ever heard the phrase "Employees don't quit their job, they quit their boss." In my experience, this phrase has a strong ring of truth to it. Recently I co-presented a session on effective supervision of employees. During this session we explored the tremendous impact that a supervisor can have on the work habits and success of their employees. A high-quality relationship between the employee and their supervisor can produce extraordinary results. And of course, a low-quality relationship between the employee and their supervisor can produce unsatisfactory results.

To increase the likelihood of a successful relationship, supervisors can do the following:

Provide clear goals and objectives
Provide helpful, ongoing feedback about employee performance
Foster an environment of team work and collaboration
Consider employee input when making decisions
Create an open and trusting work environment
Show appreciation for employees' performance
Ensure that employees know how their position contributes to the organization's success

If your supervisor has neglected one or more of these areas, try asking for what you need. When you take ownership for your career and genuinely ask for more support in the areas that are important to you, you increase the likelihood of job success.

Today's workplace can be a stressful place. Having clear expectations, a pleasant and collaborative environment, a supervisor who coaches you, and recognizes your efforts will help you thrive in your position.

Happy Thriving!

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