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Post by Ginny Andrews on Apr 13, 2021 10:54:43 GMT
One of the great leaders that I have had the pleasure of working for is Irv Faunce. Mr. Faunce was the Director of Programing at a community action program here in Maine. He always gave us the opportunity to try new things. He trusted us to be creative and encouraged us to grow personally and to try new programs and services within our organization. One of the initiatives that we implemented was a breastfeeding peer support program for participants in the Women Infants and Children’s Program. While this was a program that had some traction across the country- it was a new program here in Maine. We took the basic outline of the program and found ways to implement it within our agency. We were the first in Maine to take on the project and it continues to provide support to Maine moms for over 20 years now.
I strive to emulate his leadership qualities by giving my staff support and encouragement, so they become confident in their abilities. I want them to know that they are valued and respected and have the skills and ideas that can further develop and grow our services.
I can certainly think of times that I have told someone “no- we can’t do that” instead of really listening and asking more questions like “okay—how can we do that?” I continue to work on this as I know it will help me grow as a leader and will better those around me as well.
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Post by gdidona on Apr 15, 2021 19:50:23 GMT
Hi Ginny, Great choice - he sounds like a truly innovative leader. To your point, innovation is not always about something being absolutely new; it also involves the ability to adapt an existing concept into a different framework (e.g., a new use, a new marketplace). Adapting a breastfeeding peer support program within the culture of Maine was definitely innovative. I wonder what he would say were some of the core principles he needed to address to make that innovation occur?
Speaking as one who knows your leadership style, I would say that you are extremely effective in imparting the values of support, respect, and collaboration among your staff as well as peers (we are not just leaders to our staffs, but to those at our level, as well as those above our level). It is a wonderful quality of a leader to be self-reflective and always looking to grow our own approaches; I like how you have succinctly framed an area of ongoing work for you (instead of 'no,' 'how').
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Post by kwashburn on Apr 15, 2021 21:55:06 GMT
Hi Ginny,
Good example of a great leader and what a great project and initiative to have been a part of! It's sounds like he fostered innovation and encouraged you to try things. I am also guessing to a certain extent you weren't fearful of making a mistake or failing because of his leadership style. I think leaders like this always get the best out of their staff. I know from personal experience having worked with leaders like him and working with leaders who are the complete opposite. In a prior job I worked for someone who led by making staff fearful of making mistakes and constantly being corrected and questioned. It had such a negative impact that it started to make me question my own skills and abilities. I was stifled, and my creative and innovative side was also negatively impacted by that. I did however learn a lot about myself and the importance of certain leadership traits. One of those traits is the one you highlighted in your work with Mr. Faunce.
Piggybacking off of what Gary said, I also like that you picked a specific area that you can work on. I think choosing this will make you more self-aware of those "no" moments. Your post has definitely made me self-reflect on this.
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Post by jennfriesen on Apr 16, 2021 14:46:06 GMT
First, your comment at the end of your post really shows a growth mindset in that you identify an area in which you can improve. I think this is so important as a leader! I agree that it can be difficult to let go of the "no" and moving towards "okay" and I was curious if you have been able to identify any specific situations in which you can do this? (Might be another opportunity for a PDSA!)
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