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Our guest speaker 10 January was Lt. Harry Parker, Snohomish County Sheriff's Office. Lt. Parker grew up in Mississippi and has been a resident of our area for the last 40 years. His topic was leadership. He began his conversation with the question about one word in the English language that has so much power and the answer is choice. Attitude is always a choice. Recognize people. Think before you speak.
The most distasteful traits are micro managing or being dictatorial and even dishonest. Do as I say, not as I do. Some of these characteristics are the traits of bad managers. Leadership traits involve acknowledging people as being important, being truthful and recognizing the role individuals contribute to an organization or workplace. These traits are inspiring especially with people who have rank over you.
Have you reached out to someone you haven't heard from in a long time? There are value-based characteristics that require individuals to be an effective leader. Five words that determine a great leader: "the ability to influence others". And humility is at the top of the list as being a good leader. Power of the mind is one of the major themes influencing leadership. The most important person in your life, should be you. You have to take care of yourself first in order to help others. His wife calls him the "duck" because everything rolls off of his back.
Lt. Parker receives in excess of 100 work related emails each day. He is in constant contact with over 52 agencies and has a 100% response to all of the inquiries/emails.