RLF ALUMNI
CONTINUE YOUR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY
"MY RLF TOOLKIT IS INVALUABLE -- TODAY MORE THAN EVER"
by PAULLETTE JAMES-LECOQ
When I completed RLF in 2019, I never imagined a situation where the things I learned throughout the program could have more meaning than where we are today – in the midst of a pandemic.
As a director in the care delivery technology area, currently my team and I are working days, evenings and weekends to respond to clear and present needs … for our employees in the field, for administrators, for the CDC, for members and for the community at large. At the same time, we are all simultaneously grappling with the impact upon our own lives and loved ones.
I also find myself grateful for – and continually tapping – these things that I learned during RLF:
- I have my compass from RLF on my desk, and glance at it several times a day as the fatigue and frustration hit -- to remind myself of my true north, and that I am more than the sum of my skills.
- Clear-headed critical thinking is vital. Every move I make and the calm, clear direction I provide for my team helps us get to a better place.
- Active listening and confirmation of concerns are just as valuable as actions.
- And as I consistently show the values I believe in, it inspires confidence in those around me that we are making a difference … that we are not victims of this situation … that we are part of the solution … and that we can be heroes even if just in small ways every day.
So I truly thank my RLF classmates and facilitators for accompanying me on my leadership development journey which helped me gain the toolkit to address the pandemic crisis head-on; with courage in the face of the uncertain times – a courage I’m able to share with my team as a leader.
Finally, for those of you who are not in healthcare and want to help, I have one request. Please pick up the phone and call someone. Anyone. Reach out to friends, elderly people in your community, acquaintances or people you work with. Just check in with them. Let them tell you how they feel and listen. This small act of kindness can have a huge impact on mental health during isolation and confusion for everyone.
Take care and stay safe.
Paullette James-Lecoq is Director of API management and Data Services in the healthcare industry.
Here's a book tailor-made for today's business world that's changing with relentless speed
By Bob Rouse
Looking to maintain your footing or expand your horizons in today’s business world that is rapidly transforming around us – seemingly by the hour? Then I encourage you to read The Innovation Stack by Jim McKelvey … an entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder of Square and Glassblower. This book is an interesting, personal revelation of what entrepreneurs are to the world and society. It will open your mind.
Innovators can be found everywhere. Refinements in processes and products are plentiful. Many innovations are copies of what someone else is doing, sometimes made more efficiently and hence are cheaper. Progress, right?
McKelvey acknowledges that a lot of money can be made by copying a product or process and making it available at a lower price. Business leaders do this. But, they are not solving new problems, great problems. They avoid taking those kinds of risks.
Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, take on problems with no solutions at hand. They attack them without knowing the solution. They maintain agility in discovering solutions; they are flexible, willing to do something not done before and willing to let go, no longer holding on to solid precedent. Very much like Dr. Carl‘s advice to us, “If you have to know it before you do it, then you’ll only do what you’ve already done.”
McKelvey addresses a new kind of leadership. Leadership in his view goes way beyond careful stewardship of resources in one’s portfolio:
- Leaders fix problems that you really care about.
- Leaders solve problems not solved before.
- Leaders have to work hard, often without the necessary qualifications.
- Leaders have to do something that has value to you and the market/society.
- Leaders have to be humble, accepting.
The author provides two additional pieces of advice for leaders:
1. Create a “Not To Do” list. Include those activities on which you will spend no time. This is key to having the time to do those activities you really want/need to do. For instance, avoid social media, Facebook and for-profit media … all of which fight the sale of your attention for someone else’s profit.
2. Find a practice/hobby/activity that clears your mind. This might be flying a plane, refereeing a football game, building furniture, glass-blowing, or any other activity that demands your undivided attention. When complete, you will find your mind clear and you will likely see problems and challenges in a fresh light.
Open your mind – read The Innovation Stack. It’s a strong road map and a personal revelation for entrepreneurial contributions to the world and society.
PS -- A small disclaimer: I have known Jim McKelvey since he was a freshman in my introductory CS class at Washington University. We were co-conspirators in the publication of his first book. We spent hours talking and I have enjoyed his friendship. His loyalty to his family is remarkable. His personal and financial philanthropy have brought a strong ,fresh breath of life to his beneficiaries.
Bob Rouse is a longtime RLF Facilitator. He can be reached at brouse44@gmail.com
