What I Have Learned About Leadership While at ADD Ways to Demonstrate and Use It

1. Listen Why When How What Results Example For respect, perspective, credibility Especially at the beginning Focus groups/end users and implementers For facts that will allow us/direct us to proceed Guidance that is defensible, practical, usable Councils’ approach to consumer satisfaction

2. Be flexible Why When How What Results Example There’s always more than one way to do something and one size does not fit all Any time especially if comparison and categorization is sought to tell a compelling story Provide options Timing, process We get what we need Strategies for complying with MTARS recommendations

3. Be accountable, expect accountability Why When How What Results Example Without a connection to a consequence there is no incentive to behave in a certain way We have responsibilities (e.g., to guide the use of funds and deliver to constituencies) Reporting, educating, monitoring Data, stories, strategies that work Public knowledge that we are doing important work Biannual Report to Congress, the President, and NCD

4. Pursue new initiatives that have multiple level benefits Why When How What Results Example Broader impact, viewed as a valued player and resource Any time, during a crisis Voluntarily take a seat at the table, look for or at trends and pursue new applications, insert ourselves at the right place in a sequence Knowledge, capability, connections, expertise, money Actions are taken based on/consistent with what we provide; we can use relationships in other contexts Emergency preparedness related to individuals with disabilities

5. Expand influence through opportunities Why When How What Results Examples Broaden awareness and adoption of promising practices Any time Offer to collaborate, provide TA to others with needs related to our experience/expertise Training, materials, funding, on-site support Validate ideas in new/different context; new partnerships Family Support 360 for military families, ADD support for case management model for emergency preparedness, possible national adoption by FEMA

6. Empower others Why When How What Results Example For capacity building, sustainability, free us up to shift to something else Process and guidelines are established Through modeling, mentoring, sharing of information Tools to lead, decide, judge, train New partners, allies, investors, replicators, like thinkers Councils investment in self advocate groups and organizations

7. Be ego neutral, but ego- sensitive with regard to others Why When How What Results Example Need to know others’ perspectives to get to desired result(s) All the way through Ask leading questions – what do you think, what is important to you, what are you concerned about. Affirm our valuing what others think. Be the note taker. Money, roles, strategy Clarity, commitment, action Councils’ many examples of systems change through new legislation

8. Handle the unanticipated as an opportunity, not a burden Why When How What Results Example Picked for a reason – we’re known for delivering We least expect it or want it Offer others an opportunity to stretch or fill in Teaming in new ways, apply skills in a new context, develop new skills Confirm that we were the right person to pick for the assignment; expanded/strengthened staff capabilities HAVA; departures

9. In conflict look for and promote focusing on common ground Why When How What Results Example To get progress Everyone has spoken, no consensus has emerged List commonalities in POV expressed as principles, underlying assumptions, or goals Draw a picture of the possible Common ground, progress, consensus, compromise Creation of NACDD

10. Final Thoughts Leadership is a muscle, it must be exercised A title only gets us at the head of a table Humor works, so does candor Need to delegate, then monitor in a routine, transparent way Money gets us attention, not a guarantee that things will be done our way Mistakes happen; own up to them; learn from them; move on Effective use of power is thoughtful and humane

Contact Information Patricia A. Morrissey, Ph.D.  Commissioner  Administration on Developmental Disabilities Administration for Children and Families  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services    (202)