We have now officially kicked off our six-month professional development series: “Becoming a Community Builder”. Check out this video explaining our comprehensive personal development model: http://www.viddler.com/explore/aceleader/videos/23/
I think that one of the main realizations that I want participants to come away with is that the only way to build an ACE community is to have ACE minded leaders. In order to build the thriving communities that we all seek today, community leaders must exemplify the six ACE leadership competencies. However, in most instances, (like my own) we must hone our leadership style for the new context in which we operate in today. This means that we MUST change!
This series will do just that, it will help a person become an ACE leader, in practice not in theory! It will provide participants with real, practical, doable steps. See this link for the first video in the series: (http://acecommunities.ca/community-builder/).
Pretty cool huh! So just click on this link and start the journey.
Make sure to also check out the resource link beneath the webcast to get the handouts and to also watch the support videos.
For those of you who have already started the program, here are a few mile markers to help keep you on track:
· By February 26th
- Watch all three videos( total time 1 hour 24 minutes)
- Complete the leadership history survey
- Send out your 3 question personal performance feedback survey
- Explore the change continuum and begin to identify an area that you would like to apply the continuum
- Post your thoughts on the comments section of the BACB web page.
For us to build ACE communities, we must have ACE minded and ACE performing leaders. Macro change must first happen on a micro level.
I know that you have what it takes to make a difference and I know together we can build the communities that we would all want to live in.
Ian Hill
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I first met Ian while road tripping together across Alberta on the ACE Communities Ignite Tour in December. I remember admiring his strong belief that we all have the capacity to be better human beings. Not only that, I was struck by his belief that not only could we be better people, we could be better leaders. We the people… the dentists, the artists, the grocery clerks, the stay-at-home moms… could and will have a positive influence on the communities that we live in.
When I heard that he was hosting the ACE Communities “Becoming a Community Builder” series, I thought – hey… here is the perfect opportunity for me to really practice what I preach. As part of the ACE Team, I work with communities to help build their leadership capacity and now, I thought to myself, it’s time that I take the same approach with myself.
So, I’m going to do it! I’m committing myself to the program. I’m going to watch the webcasts, check out the support videos, and go through the worksheets. And then…. lucky you, fine readers…. I’m going to blog about it. Anyone see Julie & Julia? It’ll be like that but without the cooking. I don’t like to cook.
So check back here weekly for the good, the bad, the ugly, and the inspirations. This will be an ongoing blog following me on my journey to become a better leader.
Change is the air and I know I want to be a part of it… so join me as I walk the path of community building alongside you.
More soon….
Janet
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Task 1 - 3 question personal performance feedback survey
Well, I have finally made some moves on my leadership course. I have watched the videos - quite like the Change Continuum - and have briefly looked at the leadership survey. Not gonna lie… that looked daunting so I took the easy way out. I sent out the 3 question personal performance feedback survey to my current work colleagues. And all it took was the click of a button.
The feedback has been interesting so far as most initial responses complimented me purely on my initiative. I guess it takes a bit of bravery to put yourself out there and ask for honest feedback - good and bad. Personally, I have always encouraged those working with me to comment on my performance because how else can you improve! There is no denying, though, that self-reflection doesn’t always necessarily dig as deep as it should. So bring it on - I told all of them. I really wanted to know the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Unfortunately, my work crew have been out of town a lot as of late (ACE is a busy organization) so I have only received one survey back. This came from our gentle Rose who had naught but good things to say. She did, however, comment on the need for me to keep a well balanced life in mind. We must work like we play, she said, and care for our co-workers like we do for our family. Our Rose is a very wise lady so on that note…. I’m signing off. It’s the long weekend after all and I have my cross-country skis calling me. Next… the leadership survey!
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Task 2 - The Leadership Survey
Taking a look back at your mentors is truly an interesting exercise. It really does make you take stock of who you are as a leader. One thing I realized is that I have had the lucky experience of having been influenced by strong female bosses. In fact, all of my positive experiences have been due to these women and I am currently, once again, in an organization dominated by strong, female leaders. In summary, I’m an Amazon and I LOVE IT! And not only were these mentors strong, they were (and are) colourful, outspoken, fearless, and die hard professionals who have demanded the most of me and always celebrated my successes.
Looking back even further, I realize that I have adopted my own mother’s leadership style. This style is based on the premise that you just need to get in there and get your feet wet. Work hard and tirelessly and always care for animals. My mother is the only person I know who ONLY cries at the movies where its Bambi or Wilbur suffering injustices. That is my mother’s model (which quite possibly explains my basset hound obsession). She is all about getting the job done and making sure it is done right - a trait I always chaulked up to Old World Ukrainian stoicism.
So that is it… my leadership style is pure Amazon with a bit of Bambi thrown in. It does make me wonder what I would have been like if roles were reversed and my path was less dominated by this female spirit. Definitely food for thought…..!