Leaders are the Neediest People in the World!
Ed Francis is the Producing ArtisticDirector & Executive Director of Rhythm Workshops and the Master DrumCoach/Owner of Round Rock Drums, based in Round Rock, Texas. His greatinfluence and experience serving the youth of his community through musicworkshops and education has helped to develop his unique perspective onleadership. Here he shares 9 things great leaders need.
1. WE NEED GOOD PEOPLE
When I think ofleadership - the first which comes to mind is knowing I can’t do it by myself.AND we need people around us - people (in most cases) who are better at thingswhere we are deficient.
2. WE NEED PURPOSE
Knowing whereyou’re going is critical - and we can accomplish this by creating a missionstatement. Your mission statement drives (or at least should drive) all decisionsmade and serves as the compass for the leader to make decisions.
3. WE NEED TO LISTEN
Another importantpart is actually listening to your team’s ideas.
4. WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED
One of the mostimportant parts is to determine which ideas are worth exploring (based on themission statement), and which ones need to be placed aside - at least for thetime being.
5. WE NEED HUMILITY
Realize we are going to make mistakes. Themost important part is to recognize what went wrong, and - with the help ofyour team - try to determine what can be done differently and better the nexttime.
6. WE NEED CONSISTENCY
Meeting regularlyis vital. Having a routine date/time/place for meetings creates predictabilityand makes it easier for your team to show up and participate as plans are madefor your organization.
7. WE NEED FLEXIBILITY
As things happen -and time moves forward - it’s most always a good idea to remain flexible.
8. WE NEED TO WORK
You as the leaderwill have to demonstrate your commitment by working with a hard & smartwork ethic. People will follow best when they observe the person asking forhelp actually doing things and following through with promises.
People will dobetter when they observe a committed leader actually doing things - and notjust demanding results from others.
9. WE NEED TO SET THE TONE
Another part whichI see as important is to be calm in the face of adversity. People will watchhow you respond to situations - especially the ones where things are seeminglybecoming out of control. How we handle ourselves - the way in which we react tothings - creates an atmosphere and culture…the questions we ought to askourselves: What kind of atmosphere and culture do we wish the people helping usto experience? And will that atmosphere produce positive or negative results?
We set the tonefor everything that happens - and it’s important to realize that ourwillingness to surround ourselves with good people helps our mission (whateverit may be) to succeed.
And finally - here is something to consider:
What’s Important?
I’ve begun to reevaluate the big questionsof what is most important - what can I contribute within the amount of time Ihave remaining to be alive?
My life’s mission has been and continuesto be for me to positively influence the direction of young people and adultswho may not have had a great start to their own lives.
The method of delivery which has explodedwithin my life includes music and drumming.
I harness all of the learning and passion I have experienced - these include from instructors who've helped shape me, friends who've encouraged me, and the many, many failures which continue to humble me – and turn it all into high-octane fuel aimed at inspiring those around me to shatter the limitations imposed by others, and open doors where walls had once been built.
In order for me to be effective in thisway I must be in a place within myself where I am rested, focused, andcreatively motivated. This means taking steps to care for myself, and ensuringI am capable of being the best version of who I am.
It’s important for me to stay focused onwhat is most important so that I may continue positively contributing to thelife experiences of the kids who need it most - no matter what obstacles may betossed my way (and there will always be challenges).
Surrounding myself with lively and upbeatpeople who are excited to move in a similar direction help me to stay focusedand inspire me to do a better job at fulfilling what I hope to accomplish in mylifetime.
Good people will find you. And these arethe ones who can make huge differences, as a group of similarly motivatedpeople can truly do monumental things. And I believe this 100% because I see ithappening all the time.
And there will always be those who don’tunderstand and have nothing constructive to offer - and that’s okay. We havethe option to not be influenced by their negativity. Our ears may hear whatthey have to say, though we need not take any of it to heart.
I had once read something like: “Flyingseems like an illness to birds born in a cage.”
Fly anyway!
-EdFrancis
Get a sneak peek into the purpose ofRhythm Workshops experience here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMHcYymnZ1E
To connect with Ed Francis or to learnmore about Rhythm Workshops and Round Rock Drums you can visit his Facebookpage here: https://www.facebook.com/rhythmworkshops/