1 Leadership Matters Rica Lewis-Payton, MHA, FACHE, Network Director South Central VA Health Care Network Veterans Health Administration UAB Department of Medicine Leadership Development Seminar Series October 17, :00 AM Margaret Cameron Spain Auditorium

2 Organizational Health Source: VHA/NCOD

3 Principles of Effective Leadership Act with Integrity –Principled vs rule-based system of leadership –Spirituality, power of truth, goodness, justice –“The arc of the universe is long, but bends towards justice” ~Theodore Parker

4 Principles of Effective Leadership Create A Vision –Clear and simple vision “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” ~ Vince Lombardi

5 Principles of Effective Leadership Inspire –Build a fire “within”, rather than lighting one beneath –Great leaders inspire us to go places we would never go on our own, and attempt things we never thought we had in us –People like to work with people with a clear and consistent purpose –A calling, rather than a job

6 Principles of Effective Leadership Team Building –Must “love the people to lead the people” ~ Cornell West –Value others – love and care for them –Prepare your replacement, think long-term –Don’t underestimate the power of the truest personal touch…kindness “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see” ~ Mark Twain

7 Principles of Effective Leadership Engage and Empower Others –Respect: Everyone has value –People are opportunities, not interruptions –Learn to read the various/varying levels of affirmation your people need –Platinum Rule: “Treat others the way they want to be treated” ~Dr. Tony Alessandra

8 Principles of Effective Leadership Communicate Effectively –Be consistent –Be clear –Be courteous

9 Common Mistakes Leaders Make 1.The Top Down Attitude 2.Putting Paperwork before People Work 3.The Absence of Affirmation 4.Not Making Room for Mavericks 5.Dictatorship in Decision Making 6.Dirty Delegation 7.Communication Chaos 8.Missing the Clues of a Corporate Culture 9.Success without Successors 10.Failure to Focus on the Future

10 We Can All Be Leaders Inherent in each of us is the capacity to care and serve Identify the “reluctant, but ready”, rather than those obsessed with power, authority, and influence “Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily; even if you had no title or position.” ~ Brian Tracy

11 Servant Leadership A philosophy and set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations and ultimately creates a more just and caring world. Servant Leaders: –Listen and encourage –Cultivate trust –Act with humility, be willing to do the dirty work

12 “Leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible.” ~ General Colin Powell