Working to Develop as a Leader

As a part of my professional learning plan, I chose to spend time learning about strategies for becoming a better leader.  I have been in my current position for a few years, but feel that I can always grow as a leader.  It was a harder transition than I thought it would be moving from a support role of District Integration Specialist to a manager roles as the Technology Coordinator.  Early this month, I began reading the book Creating Magic, 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney by Lee Cockerell.  I have to admit that I first picked up this book last year, but was not focused enough to complete it.  So, I got out my planner and mapped out a reading plan to read one chapter a night and take notes.  I now wish I had scheduled to read a chapter every other night in order to take more time to reflect on the information.  I may have missed a day or two, but am now back on track with the reading.  I have been amazed at the simplicity of the strategies that Lee has outlined in the chapters.  I have already begun using a few items and feel they have made a difference in my work life.  Below are the takeaways from the first three chapters.

Chapter 1: Making Magic
Everyone has to be fully committed to one common purpose.  Leadership is more than a role: it is a responsibility.

Chapter 2: The Journey from the Farm to a Magic Kingdom
They say short phrases stick in your memory better than others.  In this chapter, "Manage Like a Mother" jumped out at me.  Lee explains that the phrase means to "help others to be the best they can be".  In reflecting on my leadership, I think I try doing this, but know without a focused plan I am not spending time with everyone on the team to help them be the best they can be to the fullest.  I am now working on a plan to achieve this.

Another takeaway is to always spend time around people with something to teach.  We spend so much time teaching others, that I do not always take the time for learning in depth from others face to face and/or in one of the many online communities I have joined.  Need a focused plan to help.  My favorite quotes is "In times of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future."

Chapter 3:  Remember, Everyone is Important
Everyone has a voice that when given the opportunity can look at obstacles and opportunities with fresh eyes and find/develop creative ideas that the leader or team may not have done if not for listening to the entire group.  Lee gives 13 tips to assist you in achieving this goal.  I have made notes on many of the tips in my journal, but the one that I have focused more on and asking my team to focus on is number 7 which is to listen to understand.  It takes time to really listen to what a person is saying.  Often times, what they are saying and trying to say are not the same.  This same topic was discussed in a recent technology department meeting when we were re-evaluating how we meet our mission and goals.  Dewayne has a great phrase that he uses when working with others that we all agreed we need to use which is after the person has spoken to say "What I heard you say is...".  This gives the person the opportunity to clarify before moving on or making plans.

I really feel that I could take one chapter and spend a few weeks reflecting and applying the strategies.  For now, I am taking lots of notes, applying those I feel will make the most impact and reflecting on the change.  I have a feeling this book will be on my desk long after I have read the last word.