SPAME~ - 21st Century Leadership Consulting

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BUSINESS
FOCUS
Common Sense Leadership
by Dr. Bernie G. Sparks III
ommon Sense Leadership
embraces the concept that there
are leaders at ALL levels who are
contributing to the positive work
environment of the organization.
These individuals need to be identified
through strong talent evaluation skills,
recognized through various positive
reinforcement techniques and allowed
to grow into a stronger leadership role.
As their peers begin to realize these
people are being recognized for positive
contributions to the organization, it
will become contagious and others will
adopt leadership roles. This will develop
a mutual respect between the rank
and file employees and the top level
executives, by showing the employees
of the organization the emphasis is on
a good work ethic and not favoritism.
Common Sense Leadership levels
the playing field for rank and file
employees, allowing them to be larger
part of the conversation in achieving
the organizations goals.
C
The majority of leadership writings
focus on the value of the contributions
of the highest level of management
such as CEOs. These people are very
important in their roles as decision
makers, but their most important role
is to identify key personnel at all levels
in the organization and give them
more responsibility. The problem is,
in large organizations, the top level
management has little or no contact
with the rank and file employees.
Management has to rely on the midlevel managers to communicate who
in the ranks are performing at a high
level. An illustration of this situation
has been portrayed on the new
television program, "Undercover Boss;'
where the highest level executive goes
"undercover" amongst the rank and
file employees within their company.
They often uncover employees that are
"leaders at all levels" who contribute by
doing their jobs effectively, but provide
a value added factor such as exceptional
customer service, extreme company
loyalty and/or selfless dedication
to their families and/or community
service through volunteerism. I have
often stated that "Volunteerism is the
truest form of leadership;' and should
be recognized by organizations.
The question I pose to my leadership
seminar participants is, "If
organizations do not have leaders
at all levels, why do we promote
from within?" Do the employees
achieve leadership based on simply
receiving a new title? If the process
is done properly, the person is being
recognized, through advancement,
based on their leadership contributions
to date and the expectations that they
will develop into a stronger leader in
the future.
I am involved in various leadership
forums. I have read postings where
leadership professionals are asking why
we train people in leadership, when
the training is absorbed and applied in
the short-term but is not sustainable.
I would submit it is because it is being
made too complicated by trying to
portray it as an elite practice, reserved
for people who are born into it, people
who have a magical charisma or
someone who is running a corporation.
I say, think again. If we did not have
leaders at all levels, what would our
country, states and communities be,
but stagnant? We need to look at local
community
Dr. Bernie G. Sparks III
volunteers and parents of our
children. They are true leaders and
are employed in all of our companies
and organizations. If you look inside
of your organizations, you will find
remarkable people who are doing
amazing things to improve the life of
others. If you recognize them, with face
to face communications, you will gain
their respect, but just as importantly
the respect of those who witness you
do it, PRICELESS. This will move your
organization forward in a positive
manner, while encouraging other
workers that positive contributions will
be received in a positive way.
SPAME~
EMPLOYMENT GROUp, LLC
Dr. Bernie Sparks is the President of
21st Century Leadership, a leadership
consultingfirm. He is also the Executive
Director of Sparks Employment Group, a
full service employment agency. He is an
adjunct faculty member at Franklin Pierce
University and Southern New Hampshire
University. He has a Doctorate of Arts in
Leadership degree from Franklin Pierce
University. He has been supervising
personnel in the public and private sectors
for over 2S years.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Bernie G. Sparks, President
21st Century Leadership
5 Chenell Drive, Concord, NH 03301
(603) 226-WORK (9675)
www.nhemploymentagencies.com
August 2011 I 5