New Direction for Blog

I’m taking this blog in a completely different direction.   This blog will now focus on leadership in all its aspects.  I expect it to be log and primer regarding leadership as I assume the helm of a mid-sized organization for a finite period of time – about two years.

 

Today was my first full day “in the saddle.”  It is surprising what it is like to be the man in charge of such a large organization – the authority and responsibility are tremendous.  I began the day by giving my staff a fire-hose rendition of what is important to me.  In a word, PEOPLE!  It is my goal for all the people in our organization to be RIDICULOUSLY SUCCESSFUL in what they do, both professionally and personally.  I want to get everyone excited about making everyone else successful.

 

Leadership always happens – and it isn’t always good.  Everyone’s primary leadership audience is themselves.  We must each lead ourselves well in order to lead others well.  In fact, when others see us leading ourselves well, they will naturally follow our lead, or, if they are in authority, will give us greater responsibility for leading others.  How we lead ourselves and others is completely wrapped up in our individual identities.  Why we do what we do is completely based on who we think we are or want to be.  

 

Right now I’m still in a whirlwind of getting settled.  The first big thing I want to do is change the environment of my office so that people around me see a visual difference in what is going on.  The previous chief is an excellent leader and ran the organization very, very well.  Now he’s going on to bigger & better things.  I’m just different, and I want to demonstrate that not so much by changing what other people do, but by changing what the chief does, and letting that filter down slowly.  

 

More later.  This shall be an exiting ride.  - Dirk