LEADERSHIP: IS IT LEADERSHIP: IS IT JUST ABOUT THE JUST ABOUT THE

LEADERS?LEADERS?

SUPREME COUNCILLEADERSHIP SEMINAR

MARCH 27, 2010LEXINGTON, MA.

JUST WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED JUST WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED ‘LEADERSHIP’?‘LEADERSHIP’?

Leadership is not just about leaders; it’s also about followers

Successful leadership depends upon the follower’s perception of the leader

Leadership is in the eye of the follower

LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICSCHARACTERISTICS James Kouzes and Barry Posner [The

Leadership Challenge] surveyed 10,000 managers nationwide from a wide variety of private and public organizations to tell them what they looked for in a leader.

There are several essential “tests” that a leader must pass before we are willing to grant the title “leader”.

Let’s take a look:

HONESTY:HONESTY:

Leaders are considered honest if they do what they say they are going to do [when they say they will do].

Another essential is the leader’s display of trust in others.

“Trust is a risk game; the leader has to ante up first”.

Think of the chaos that happens when a leader

within a Valley is less than totally honest about a challenging situation!

COMPETENCE:COMPETENCE:

We must believe that a person knows what he or she is doing.

  If we doubt the leader’s abilities, we’re

unlikely to enlist in the crusade!

“Value Added Competence”: The ability to motivate…sell an idea…reward…recognize a team.

Think of degree direction and management with competent individuals; think what happens in

your Valley without them!

BEING FORWARD BEING FORWARD LOOKING:LOOKING: Direction and concern for the

future…”vision”… ”dream”… “calling”…

Clarity of purpose and direction

Maintain the core values…change the processes by which they are

managed for the benefit of the customers [members]…Jim Collins.

IINSPIRATIONNSPIRATION

Enthusiastic, energetic and positive about the future!

Essential that leaders inspire our confidence in the validity of the goal.

A good example is that the Scottish Rite is NOT a charity as has been clarified by Commander Mc Naughton.

CREDIBILITY:CREDIBILITY:

More than anything else, people want leaders who are credible.

This sense of security enables us to let go of our reservations and release enormous personal energy on behalf of the common vision

A good example is that we are a fraternity, bonded together by fellowship and care for

one another. It’s the core value that has been revisited by Commander McNaughton

that is part of reshaping our future.

LEADERSHIP PRACTICES:LEADERSHIP PRACTICES:

THERE ARE FIVE FUNDAMENTAL PRACTICES THAT ENABLE LEADERS TO EARN FOLLOWERS’ CONFIDENCE andGET EXTRAORDINARY THINGS DONE:

CHALLENGE THE CHALLENGE THE PROCESS:PROCESS: A willingness to change the “status

quo”.

Explore ways to improve the organization

Treat mistakes as a learning experience

A good example is a new way to target the market for New members by doing

innovative things…

INSPIRE A SHARED INSPIRE A SHARED VISION:VISION: Envision the future with a positive outlook

Expressive..attract followers through skillful communications

Show others how mutual interests can be met through commitment to a common purpose

A good example might be a way to present degrees in

A “Lodge setting” after having had to vacate a former facility that was

equipped with a theatre.

ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT:ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT:

Leaders infuse people with spirit developing relationships

They stress collaborative goals

They involve others in planning

Ensure that people feel strong and capable

A good example might be a “Monthly Officers Meeting” where the activities for the upcoming month are discussed… and the leader [Presiding Officer] is able to guide the Officers through the

process of ensuring that they have planned, organized, developed and are now controlling an

agenda of events.

MODEL THE WAY:MODEL THE WAY:

Leaders are clear about their business values and beliefs

Behavior is consistent with values

Leaders also break projects down into “bite size parts” so that they are achievable…creating small wins!

A good example is how often Commander McNaughton refers

to Supreme Council’s transactions as being “the best value for the corporation”.

ENCOURAGE THE HEART:ENCOURAGE THE HEART:

Link recognition with accomplishments

Let others know that their efforts are appreciated

Nurturing a team spirit that enables people to sustain

continued efforts

A good example is the “Thank You Note”. What a positive way to make someone feel

good about what they have done!

UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP:UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP:

Leadership is a relationship, a unique and special trust between the leader and followers.

The development of this trust requires our full attention as leaders

Here are five pre-requisites to building and maintaining this bond of trust:

KNOW YOUR KNOW YOUR FOLLOWERS:FOLLOWERS: Find out what is important to them

A good example is “Why are you here?” Our mission is to help you

get extra-ordinary things done that are of mutual benefit and value to

your Valley and its customers [members]

STAND UP FOR YOUR STAND UP FOR YOUR BELIEFSBELIEFS Remain open to others: Listen,

understand, empathize.

Keeping the core values of the Rite is critical;

knowing that we can change how we get things done is

important!

SPEAK WITH PASSIONSPEAK WITH PASSION

Communicate with excitement; paint word pictures

Tell stories

Enable others to feel what you experience

What about that “special conversation” with a new member…and those necessary on going

conversations with our current members who we don’t see very often…

LEAD BY EXAMPLELEAD BY EXAMPLE

Leaders are role models

We look to them for how we should behave

If leaders ask followers to observe certain standards,

Then the leaders need to live by the same rules

A good example might be the frequent “planning sessions” that are held among

officers and leaders…it’s always inspirational when someone says “What if

we do this a different way?”

CONQUER YOURSELFCONQUER YOURSELF

The real struggle of leadership is internal

Internal ongoing questions…Am I doing the right thing?

Are we going in the right direction? What impact will this action have on the future of the organization?

This all begins with determining your value system

The best example is when a major shift/change is about to be made…place of meeting…financial

adjustment…required personnel change…to know from the leaders that the body’s compass is

calibrated…and things will be positive…in a new direction. [Change is very difficult for some of our

older members!]

THE EYE OF THE THE EYE OF THE FOLLOWERFOLLOWER THESE CHARACTERISTICS, PRACTICES AND

RELATIONSHIPS ARE TOUGH MEASURES 

MAY NOT SEEM RIGHT TO BE JUDGED SO HARSHLY… BUT…FOLLOWERS PERCEIVE LEADERS IN THEIR

OWN TERMS…THOSE TERMS ARE NOT ALWAYS FAIR.

  THE LEADER IS NOT A LEADER UNLESS THERE ARE

FOLLOWERS; THERE ARE NO TRUE FOLLOWERS UNLESS THE LEADER IS A LEADER IN THE EYE OF THE FOLLOWER.

“The Leadership Challenge” by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner

Take Away Summary:Take Away Summary:

Leadership Characteristics:

Honesty

Competence

Being Forward Looking

Inspiration

Credibility

Leadership Practices:

Challenge the Process

Inspire a Shared Vision

Enable others to act

Model the way

Encourage the heart

Unique Relationships :

Know your followers

Stand up for your beliefs

Speak with passion

Lead by example

Conquer yourself

The Leadership Challenge