9 minute read
Effective Leadership Strategies
from Experienced CPRA Agency Members
Being an effective leader comes with years of experience and moving up through the ranks. Sometimes, however, we’re put into leadership roles without having gone through the paces – this section is for you, new leader(s). This section is also for you experienced leaders, there’s always room for new ideas. We interviewed four seasoned CPRA agency members to learn strategies that have helped them be better leaders. We hope you find these tips to be helpful.
Sean VonRoenn | Executive Director, ERBM Recreation and Park District
Leadership definitely feels like an ongoing journey of successes and set-backs as I continue to be schooled in the art of public service and teamwork by my amazing colleagues here locally and throughout our tremendous state-wide association. The best recent resource that we worked through together here at ERBM was the book “Extreme Ownership”, as we really can only control ourselves and our own attitude and effort. If leaders truly want to see better outcomes we have to start by doing the hard work of looking in the mirror and improving ourselves. Read books, go to trainings, develop as robust a professional network as possible, never stop learning! Top 5 tips I’ve learned through the years: 1. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate: The old sales adage of “tell them, tell them again, and tell them what you told them” certainly rings true for me. 2. Can’t win without talent: Get the best and brightest people on the team! There’s a reason that most sports championships go to the same small number of star studded teams year after year. 3. MBWA: Leadership with legs, get out of the office (I’m preaching to myself). Management By Walking Around is good, but Management By Working Alongside is better! This is definitely an area that I am inspired by my colleagues around the state to do more in my own space. I think about many personal stories from my counterparts; like Eric Lucas running a loader to help out in Windsor, or Tim Webber in Rangely leading the construction of a beautiful new pavilion at their Camper Park, or Alison Rhodes taking time out to help with seasonal planting on Pearl Street. Simple acts of service behind the scenes when no one’s watching, because in reality, everyone’s watching all the time! 4. Balance: “Put out fires fast enough so that nothing burns down, but not so fast that you burn out” is the mantra I try to live by. There’s always more work to be done, but we’re no good to anyone if we fail to maintain a margin for our own health, well-being and growth. 5. Core values: Uncompromising anchor points are absolutely paramount. Every leader who is moving the needle anywhere will have criticism, missteps, and be repeatedly tested through hard times. Holding on to the fundamental things like faith, integrity, service, etc. provides a firm foundation for both personal and professional stability.
Michelle Stout | Fitness and Wellness Coordinator, Apex Park and Recreation District
This past year has been nothing but chaos, the unknown, and learning how to “pivot” (everyone’s favorite word)! Not only has it probably been one of the hardest years for professionals and leaders, but I believe it’s also been one of the greatest learning years for us as well. This might have been what we all needed on a certain level - hear me out! We’ve been able to reset our thinking on leadership. We’ve had to lead virtually, in-person (under masks), and sporadically in the community with everchanging rules and regulations. We’ve had to comfort our teams and our customers. Leadership has taken on an entirely new meaning of being the lighthouse in the storm. We endured tasks that were not in our “job descriptions,” but gave us a better understanding of how other departments work and how they contribute to the success of our organizations. We learned how to take time to really listen to the needs of our team and create stronger internal bonds since we all have seen team members furloughed or laid off. We’ve become more efficient leaders. We have learned that communication is key, and honesty is equally as important. We have recognized that our teams and members are going through their own battles, and we must meet them where they are. We’ve learned to not to take things too personally – this year was rough on everyone! We have realized the need to take time for ourselves. We’ve all assumed new responsibilities, and these workloads have highlighted how vital it is to take care of our own physical and mental health. We’ve learned we need to take that walk at lunch, to say, “I’ve got too much on my plate,” or even utter the scary word, “no.” These lessons can inspire us as we move forward in leadership. Look to the future. Learn a new task.
Take a course offered by CPRA/NRPA/etc. that can
help elevate you to the next level. Know there is always a plan. Be a team player no matter what. Be the leader that you would want to look up to. Listen to others and create those personal connections. Smile, laugh, and have fun –we are Parks and Recreation!
LEADERSHIP HAS TAKEN ON AN ENTIRELY NEW MEANING OF BEING THE LIGHTHOUSE IN THE STORM. WE ENDURED TASKS THAT WERE NOT IN OUR “JOB DESCRIPTIONS,” BUT GAVE US A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW OTHER DEPARTMENTS WORK AND HOW THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS. WE LEARNED HOW TO TAKE TIME TO REALLY LISTEN TO THE NEEDS OF OUR TEAM AND CREATE STRONGER INTERNAL BONDS.
Alison Rhodes | Deputy Director, City of Boulder Parks & Recreation
Since being appointed Director of Boulder Parks and Recreation in February 2020, I’ve had to dig deep to make some incredibly challenging decisions. My leadership values are the guidepost I use when making tough choices and when communicating with our team.
To affirm my leadership values, I looked at these sources: • Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead includes an exercise to help you identify your values (the whole Dare to Lead workbook is free online and a phenomenal resource – I highly recommend); • The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner is one of my top five leadership books - and • My Leadership 360 evaluation - this professionally executed exercise gave me categorized feedback from approximagely 20 colleagues to help me understand my
Leadership Strengths and Areas for Further Development.
Sidebar: This 360 has provided the most helpful coaching of my career and while scary, was one of the best things
I have ever done. Synthesizing what resonated for me in these materials, I developed this list of my 4 Leadership Values: Authenticity: Trust is the foundation for any relationship, and trust is built on vulnerability and honesty. I have learned that being as clear as I can, as kindly as I can, is one of the best ways that I can serve the needs of our team. When sharing choices like employee layoffs and budget reductions, everyone deserves to know how and why decisions were made. Learning: I love growing and I want to understand everything. Knowing this helps me explain why I ask a million questions and fosters a continuous improvement mindset. Service: I am filled up by working for the betterment of our community and in service to BPR’s incredible team. This desire to be helpful drives nearly everything I do. Optimism: Hopefulness and confidence about the future and our shared success is more critical than ever. Married with pragmatic realism, optimism is what powers me through the hard times. As you grow, and in any role, take some time to identify your own leadership values. They can help you verify if a new role or organization is a fit for you and guide you in your career.
Kris Kron | Recreation Supervisor, City of Longmont
In leadership situations, I listen to others and ask for guidance from those opinions I respect and that matter most. Encouraging feedback is critical in guiding a vision and direction. I seek other viewpoints to build trust in a team and encourage others to have the bigger picture in mind. For my team, it is realizing that everything we do is for our community, that we strive to provide the best recreational opportunities possible. I try to be clear and concise in my communication and avoid shying away from difficult conversations. Being willing to have uncomfortable conversations helps establish standards. I focus on operating with transparency as much as possible while trying to increase responsibility and accountability when providing direction. It is not always easy and an area that I am constantly working to improve. I sometimes fail to lead effectively in some situations, but learning from mistakes has helped me improve as a leader. When I find myself not being successful, I ask myself three questions:
1. “What role did I contribute to this situation?” 2. “What could I have done differently?” 3. “How can I improve the situation moving forward?”
When it is apparent that the process is not working, I need to be honest with myself and acknowledge it. Demonstrating humility can help connect a team and generate buy-in, but I do so with a mindful approach to motivate and work through obstacles to find opportunities. As a leader, I am responsible to everyone that I am leading. Maintaining composure and not being afraid to step up during challenges takes effort and confidence. My intent is to lead by example and keep an encouraging attitude to help generate positive outcomes.
Architectural dog park products
DOG WASH TUBS FUN PRODUCTS AGILITY ITEMS
WATER FOUNTAINS PLAY EQUIPMENT PET STATIONS
The Infield. The Outfield. The Course.
Horizon’s got you covered no matter where you score. Fertilizer and soil amendments, tools, chemicals, seed, mowers & irrigation products—from green industry leaders you have come to rely on. Our products are in-stock when you need them and are backed by a professional, knowledgeable sales team.
Schedule your delivery today—before the season gets in full swing.
Your local Horizon: Littleton, CO The Infield. The Outfield. 4971 S Rio Grande St | 303.934.3200The Course. irrigation | outdoor living | landscape | equipment Horizon’s got you covered no matter where you score.
The Infield. The Outfield. The Course.
Schedule your delivery today—before the season
Fertilizer and soil amendments, tools, chemicals, seed, mowers & irrigation products—from green industry leaders you have gets in full swing. come to rely on. Our products are in-stock when you need them and are backed by a professional, knowledgeable sales team. Your local Horizon: Littleton, CO 4971 S Rio Grande St | 303.934.3200
Schedule your delivery today—before the season
gets in full swing. irrigation | outdoor living | landscape | equipment
