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Leading with Inspiration, Empowerment, and Service
My leadership philosophy was shaped by the core principles of inspiration, empowerment, and service. I believe that great leaders inspire their teams by fostering a shared vision and igniting their passion for achieving stretch goals. This goes beyond mere motivation; it's about creating an environment where individuals feel valued, respected, and capable of exceeding expectations. Mistakes are expected and learning from those mistakes and improvement is required.
Instead of manipulation, I strive to empower my team members to continuously improve their performance. This means fostering an atmosphere of open communication and collaboration. I actively listen to their ideas and concerns. I delegate tasks strategically, allowing individuals to develop their skills and take ownership of their work and the results. We recognize and celebrate successes monthly. I further empower individuals to build confidence within their own sphere of influence and with their own teams.
Furthermore, I embrace the philosophy of servant leadership. This means prioritizing the development and well-being of my team members above all else. I believe that when individuals feel supported and cared for, they are more engaged, productive, and ultimately, more successful. This means supporting their development even when leaving our team is the best way for them to grow (and it will require us to replace them). By leading by example and putting my team's needs first, I strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best.
My experiences throughout my deanship at Marshall solidified these principles. As a result, health informatics is one of the fastest growing graduate programs. At Jacksonville University my team tripled graduate enrollment in the MBA. We established five new international collaborations. New innovative initiatives are coming in the next few years because of our new Brad D. Smith Center of Business. Additionally, we recognized and celebrated Marshall business faculty’s scholarship achievements which have fostered a stronger culture of collaboration and scholarly success in international journals.
In conclusion, my as a leader is to never dictate or control, but to inspire, empower, and serve. By fostering a supportive and collaborative environment, I believe the Lewis College of Business will achieve remarkable results, while nurturing the personal and professional growth of each individual on our team.
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