Being a Servant Leader without being a Manager or Supervisor

What is leadership? Does it come automatically when you are a supervisor or a manager? Or is it the cumulative effect of dozens of small actions that sometimes seem invisible unless you are looking for them? Someone who is a manager or supervisor doesn’t automatically become a leader, especially not a servant leader; although anyone who is a servant leader would always make a great supervisor or manager.

Work pressure and sick time.

In the past and even today, work has stressed and made me feel overwhelmed … and I know that I am not alone. There are ways to mitigate these feelings and even to “get ahead of them;” consider this post to be a guide with “Tools Everyone Can Use” to help you stop being affected as much.

It is worth it for you and for them …

With the coming of spring (finally) many students are starting to look for summer jobs and many organizations are looking to hire. Hiring students benefits both the student and employer; the learning curve can be steep on both sides, but it is worth the effort today and tomorrow.

Suggestions for Small/Medium-Sized Organizations

The United States is no longer the shining beacon of trade, hope, and freedom it was only a few months ago. Countries like Canada seem to be its new enemy and are subject to uncertainty, economic blackmail, and threats to its sovereignty. At a micro-level, many small and medium-sized organizations are facing decisions that were unthinkable previously … how to survive in a hostile trading environment.

In 1500 words or less, I can only suggest the beginnings of a new path, a way written expressly for a friend who operates her own business. My advice though, could help both “for profit” and “not-for-profit” organizations chart a new path, not by denying our new reality, but by “turning into the US-lead economic skid,” and begin working towards a future not based on US reliance.

It is always worth the effort …

Hiring a student or welcoming a coop student into your workplace is an investment in our collective future. The practical skills and knowledge they gain builds on their academic abilities. Take the time to prepare and anticipate the work involved and collaboratively make them part of your team.

Train them and allow them to demonstrate to you they can make meaningful contributions when provided with opportunities.

Recognize the signs and decide what to do about it.

It’s an easy trap to fall into. You tell yourself in the beginning that it is just for a little while until you get caught up. You’re a hard worker and the work you do is really important. Soon the extra becomes the normal and you might not even notice for a while … and then you’re caught.

This brief post talks about how it happens, how to recognize the signs, and most importantly how to start to escape the cycle.

What would/could you do?

I am worried for my children and our family, I am worried for my community, and I am worried for everyone. One has doesn’t have to read what the experts are saying, you just have to go outside and see for yourself. Our collective actions are threatening our planet and our survival.

I am not a reactionary, but I am an environmentalist. I am also a businessperson and someone trained as an economist, I appreciate the costs of what, as one person I am suggesting; however we have to change and we have to change now.

MORE TEACHABLE MOMENTS

I work assisting people who are experiencing barriers to employment overcome them and find jobs that either accomplish their goals or take them to the next step on their individual journeys.

My role as a coach and mentor constantly reminds me of the lessons shared with me during my career, this post is the next chapter on “lessons learned” from my November 24th post.

“Yes” and so do many other hiring “practices.”

Have you ever considered how biased our hiring practices are toward people who do not experience barriers to employment. How difficult it is for people who are from outside the “colonial bubble” most of us never even notice?

When you start to see and think about those barriers you can see the intrinsic discrimination that happens every day.

Why would anyone work for free …

I am writing this on a Saturday.  I did two hours of work today and two hours last night. I have already worked many hours over my allotted workdays this week. It is unlikely I […]