A Living Document from Semester One at Grad School

My Leadership Manifesto

A formulation of how I intend to lead myself and others

They say that to make an effective declaration, is to do it publicly. To share out our intent, and outline our actions to fulfill our intent, holds us accountable. It reminds us what we stand for and who we want to be. And it lets other people know where you stand, without the guesswork and the testing boundaries.

All together, it’s clarity. And clarity is kindness.

I also know that a manifesto changes over time. As we accumulate experience, we pivot slightly to make room for more knowledge.

So, as of December 2019, here is my leadership manifesto.

What are my values? What I will not compromise on?

My leadership manifesto:

I stand behind the trial and error philosophy, as central to learning, innovation, and self-confidence. I include myself and my team in this statement.

I believe the best work springs from wholehearted living. This means I willingly accept my strengths and my weaknesses without covering them up. In embracing the vulnerability of imperfection, I accept this state as a condition in which the best work can occur all the same. As an effective leader, I recognize this about myself and accept this about my team.

I am committed to creating a safe work environment. That is, one where I will protect each and every worker from inside threats ( groupism, throwing someone under the bus to save anyone’s ass).

I take responsibility for my actions, will fix what I break or ask for help if it’s outside of my strengths-set. In leading myself in this way, I create a culture where error is acceptable, owning it is good and fixing it is a point of honor.

I believe in a strength-based work environment. This equates to work flows which allows workers to operate off their inherent strengths. Conversely, I will not punish workers with tasks they “should” know if they want to be successful in their roles. (This creates fear and self-doubt, neither of which lead to the benefits of the trial and error method.)

And lastly, I am committed to my values. This means:

I am committed to being clear on my values, in order to better lead myself and others.

I committed to communicating these to all team-mates in the very beginning of a new working relationship.

I am committed to following my values consistently, and even in the face of adversity within or without of the organization.

These are an act of kindness to myself and my team.

Clarity is kindness. Consistency is kindness.