Civil Air Patrol National Commanders Thoughts on Leadership

Civil Air Patrol National Commander’s Thoughts on Leadership Maj Gen Mark E. Smith, CAP 9 August 2018 ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS!

Overview Leadership Styles Servant Leadership Tips for effectively leading volunteers ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 2

Leadership Styles The “cool” leadership styles The “not-so-cool” leadership style ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 3

Leadership Styles A Sliding Scale Classical Transactional Visionary Organic Autocratic leader Leader consults with followers Strong leader, charismatic Distributed decision making “My way or the highway” Then makes Communication of “informed” decision the vision Group power, collaboration Followers have little input More power followers Significant input from membership Consensus building However, comma. . . • Leadership style is situation-dependent • We usually employ a hybrid model of leadership ” t l u a f e d “ ? r u o odel y s ’ t pm a h w rshi t u B eade l ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 4

The Three Facets of Servant Leadership A Servant Leader is: A person of integrity A steward of the organization Helps her or his people achieve their full potential ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 5

Servant Leader – A Person of Integrity Ethical underpinnings – one’s “moral compass” CAP’s core values Important to have alignment between your moral compass and the organization’s core values • A story. . . It’s a 24/7 thing ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 6

Servant Leader – Steward of the Organization Committed to the success of the organization and its people Avery: Organizational stewardship operates on two levels: stewardship for the followers, and stewardship of the mission or purpose that underlies the organization Some of the traits of organizational stewardship: • • • Vision (Covey: Begin with the end in mind) Persuasiveness/communication Trust/Delegation (De Pree: Abandon yourself to the strength of others) Diversity – brings richness to the organization Inclusiveness – participative leadership Appreciation of others ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 7

Servant Leader – Committed to Helping Followers Reach Their Full Potential Developing the next generation of (servant) leaders Putting followers first, personally invested Tailored development of leadership skills, task skills, selfmotivation, and self-confidence (sounds like mentoring!) Attributes to achieve this: delegation, empowerment, empathy, listening, healing, awareness, celebrate successes ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 8

Tips for effective leadership of volunteers Dealing with our members • Leadership is a privilege, and an obligation • “It’s about the people, all the people” • “Care like you mean it” • Genuineness (Authentic Leadership) • Servant leadership ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 9

Tips for effective leadership of volunteers Communication • It’s a journey… • Listening: “Ears open, eyes open, mouth not flapping” (Behar) • Listen for the truth • “Seek first to understand, then to be understood” (Covey) • Always – transparently, honestly, frequently • Includes vision, goals, objectives Lots of talking. Focus? Team? • Make it safe, be responsive Vision? Is anyone listening? ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 10

Tips for effective leadership of volunteers Build trust • “Care like you mean it” • Start with yourself • Appreciate and take pleasure in your accomplishments • Invite, and be receptive to, feedback • Appreciate others • Acknowledge contributions • Honest feedback, given in a positive manner • Do the right thing – always • Pass the praise, take the blame • Be responsive to everybody ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 11

Tips for effective leadership of volunteers Be accountable This doesn’t work! • Not just to those above you, but to your people and your stakeholders • Big mistake: withholding the truth about an “oops” and not holding yourself accountable to your people • Communicate clearly and honestly when there is an issue ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 12

Tips for effective leadership of volunteers Be a person of action • Organizations don’t stay static; they’re either growing or diminishing • Tap into the wealth of your people’s creativity • More on that in a bit • Be persistent, but at the right point be willing to let go of Plan A • Have Plan B ready to go ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 13

Tips for effective leadership of volunteers Think independently • Honor independent thinking • Not necessarily easy in our rules-based CAP • Empower your people, set expectations, be amazed at what they can do • Ideas will bubble up • Don’t get hung up on who gets credit ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 14

Tips for effective leadership of volunteers Dare to dream, and to • “Say ‘yes’, the most powerful help others dream word in the world” (Behar) • Affirm your people, give them resources, your trust, and a clear purpose • Saying “yes” is a leap of faith, believing in your people ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 15

Tips for effective leadership of volunteers A final thought • Covey’s 7 th Habit: “Sharpen the Saw” • I’m preaching to myself (and you…) • Pace yourself • Take time off periodically to recharge, refocus, and plan • Strive for balance • If we do this, we will be better leaders for the long haul! ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 16

Questions? ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 17

References + More Other Stuff References • Avery • Understanding Leadership • Behar • It’s Not About the Coffee • Covey • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders • De Pree • Leadership is an Art • Morgan and Lynch • Leading From the Front • George • True North • Resources on CAP University website • Read to Lead • ACTIV²E Leadership Model • Lots more! ONE CIVIL AIR PATROL, EXCELLING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND OUR MEMBERS! 18