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Uncommon Words: From listening to eating right, leadership applies to everyone
by Jerry Fleagle, Hoover Presidential Found · Op-Ed · May 05, 2016
Last week, I was invited to Hoover Elementary in West Branch for Leadership Day. This being my first one, I didn’t quite know what to expect.
However, it was a gratifying experience getting to share and learn from West Branch’s future leaders. And, it is easy to see why Jessica Burger is this year’s Principal of the Year, as leadership starts in the Principal’s office, and works its way through the entire school!
Essentially, the students learn and put into practice the “7 Habits” of leadership, first made famous by leadership guru Steven Covey.
But as I was visiting classrooms, it really got me to thinking. I was “re-learning” lessons I had forgotten, or put on the back burner in going through the day to day “life stuff” we all experience. Don’t we all?
So my mind wandered to how ALL of us can learn a lesson from our elementary students, and apply it to our own lives and beyond.
The students asked some tough questions of us adults which challenged us to do better. Take a look at the “7 Habits,” and let’s apply it to life in our community:
Habit 1: Be Proactive. Are we being responsible for our actions and take initiative? We choose our own actions, attitudes and moods. Do we blame others for our own wrong actions? And do we do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking? The students really honed in on the last question. How are you doing on this habit?
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind. Do you have a plan and set goals? The Hoover Campus has a lot of plans (flood control and building renovation among them). A lot of thought has been put into them. There has been a lot of thought put into community and economic development and tourism. Vision without resources is irrelevant.
Habit 3: Put First Things First. Are we spending time on things that are most important? Are we setting priorities, making a schedule and following the plan? Are we disciplined and organized? One of the things that is reinforced to students is you have to say “no” to things that do not fit their priorities. I think that is a challenge for all of us; I know it is for me. If we put first things first, we will be successful!
Habit 4: Think Win-Win. Everyone can win. Can we balance courage for getting what we want with consideration for what others want? When conflicts arise, do we look for the third alternative and are we willing to compromise? Those that think “it’s my way or the highway” ALWAYS lose.
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood. Listen before you talk. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But it is really hard. If we try to see things from others’ viewpoints, we can reach habit 4 of “win-win”. Do you listen to others without interrupting? Are you confident in voicing your well thought out ideas? And, do you look people in the eyes when talking? My biggest frustration with both sides of the spectrum is an obvious disregard for this habit. And that may be why our federal government is struggling with getting things done.
Habit 6: Synergize. Together is Better. Are we valuing other people’s strengths and learning from them? Are we getting along well with others, even people who are different from me? And are we working well in groups, seeking other people’s ideas to solve problems because I know teaming with others can create far better solutions than any one of us alone? For example, the Foundation supplies golf cart shuttles for the Lions Club to use to help transport track fans in need for West Branch track meets. In turn, the Lions help supply golf cart drivers for special events at the Hoover Campus. Those that know me know I have preached “Better Together” since coming back to West Branch three years ago. We are fortunate that we have leaders on the Hoover Campus, the schools and up and down Main Street that get it. We just have to work at it every day!
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw. Balance Feels Best. Are we taking care of our bodies by eating right, exercising and getting sleep? Am I spending time with family and friends? Am I learning in lots of ways and places? Are we finding meaningful ways to help others?
Leadership is hard. You can’t please everyone all the time. Some you just can’t please any time. But a good leader will take the time to listen to all viewpoints, then weigh all the options and ultimately choose the path with the greatest benefits for all. We have a lot to learn from our students and I’m glad to have been a part of Hoover Elementary’s Leadership Day!
Jerry Fleagle is the executive director of the Hoover Presidential Foundation. You may reach him at 319-643-5327 or JFleagle@hooverpf.org.
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