By Lakeisha Harrison Over the course of my life, I’ve been fortunate to be a part of many groups and teams. Be they formal or informal, professional or extracurricular, as a team member or a leader, each situation taught me invaluable lessons about how groups function and how I function in them. These lessons have grown me into a better leader, but most importantly a better person. Group Type The first lesson about group dynamics is to understand what type of group you’re in. A collective functions differently from a top-down hierarchical model. A newly forming group operates in very different ways from a well-established group with longevity. The … [Read more...] about Transformative Engagement: Lessons of Group Participation and Leadership
Articles
Transformational Leadership Theory in Action
by Prudence Bushnell Twenty- three years after the East Africa embassy bombings, I still talk about my experience as ambassador through the prism of leadership, specifically, transformational leadership. I had not heard of it this term in 1998 but, instinctually, I did put it into practice to cope with the catastrophic aftermath of the August 7 al Qaeda attack on the U.S embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. The truck bomb detonated in the small parking lot behind our workplace killed 213 people and injured thousands of others. This is what worked for us. Inspired Motivation Intellectual Stimulation Individual Consideration Idealized Influence The so-called … [Read more...] about Transformational Leadership Theory in Action
Seven Lessons in Re-integrating Soldiers In-Between and After Forward Deployments
Allegra Jordan served as the Executive Director of the Rick Herrema Foundation (RHF) from 2017-2020. Designated an “Architect of Change” by Maria Shriver, she develops superior teams so businesses and communities can prosper. The author of four books, Allegra graduated from Harvard Business School and Georgetown University’s Leadership Coaching certificate program. Her 2020 book Love’s Red Door: Renewing your Community with a Respite Park provides a deeper look at Rick’s Place, the park described here. For more on Allegra Jordan please go to www.allegrajordan.com. Context: Two or three sentences about the work with returning warriors Since 9/11, the U.S. has … [Read more...] about Seven Lessons in Re-integrating Soldiers In-Between and After Forward Deployments
Marketplace of Leadership Stories: Year End Take-a-ways
I started the marketplace to collect stories from people I know and admire who are living diverse experiences. With the conviction that one does not need to be in a position of “leader” to influence and practice leadership, I asked my friends to clarify what they had learned. KNOW YOURSELF came first. Below you will find other highlights from the wisdom they shared, along with links to their full articles. Aminata Diop-Kunta https://prudencebushnell.com/leadership-lessons-as-an-entrepreneur-and-a-mother-in-my-twenties/ Charlie Ray https://prudencebushnell.com/6-things-my-grandmother-taught-me-about-effective-leaders Charlie … [Read more...] about Marketplace of Leadership Stories: Year End Take-a-ways
Lessons about Influencing as a U.S. Diplomat for Three Decades
by Herman J. Cohen, Ambassador (Ret.) Four things I learned about influencing as U.S. diplomat Show an interest in the culture of the country to which you are assigned. Respect local customs for social life. Ask a lot of questions. Make local people feel important. Three behaviors I used that helped Ask questions that lead to new thinking about significant issues. Do not rush to the subject of interest. Work up to it slowly. Spend a lot of time with opposite numbers without talking business. Two challenges I faced consistently Preconceived impressions. Propaganda from Soviet and Chinese embassies One piece of advice I … [Read more...] about Lessons about Influencing as a U.S. Diplomat for Three Decades