Meeting Summary: Hill Leadership Working Group
The Hill Leadership Working Group met for the second time on Wednesday, with 11 in attendance, and 13 members on the roster. We’ve outgrown our first meeting room already! The main reading room at the Hill Library will be a great venue for the future: it’s a beautiful space that we cannot outgrow.
Discussion Summary: Key Points
We had a most lively and wide-ranging discussion on the Max DePree book, Leadership is an Art. Some of the issues and observations that stand out in my mind:
- Much of the book describes not individual acts or aspects of leadership per se, but an ongoing commitment to creating an environment in which others can lead, follow, and thrive.
- Different situations call for different leadership styles. Under some circumstances, the most effective leader will delegate broadly and demonstrate trust in subordinates to make decisions and execute. Other situations call for very directive, hands-on management. The most effective style depends on the organization, its stage of development and its immediate needs.
- DePree also emphasized the importance of understanding and appreciating team members as whole people, with lives and commitments and dimensions outside of work. He also believes that leaders have a positive obligation to meet the needs of those people.
- Management and manipulation aren’t dirty words, but an effective leader is thoughtful and judicious about what she manipulates – how she creates and manages situations in which subordinates and colleagues can succeed.
- Aspects of DePree’s work are timeless, but other aspects seemed dated. The group wondered whether some of his advice and perspectives are applicable to many companies today. We also wondered about the extent to which is perspective was informed by his circumstances: literally inheriting leadership of a company, Herman Miller’s strong legacy, the location in a small town, etc.
- We discussed the extent to which DePree’s concept of a covenantal employment relationship – layered over a thinner, contractual one – actually characterizes most employment relationships today.
- We agreed that the degree to which many employers stress the at-will nature of employment necessarily affects our relationships at work, in opposition to DePree’s covenantal concept.
- Therefore, we have to recognize the degree to which our employees are volunteers, and motivate them accordingly.
- Overall, DePree’s concept of a leader as a servant comes through loud and clear in this work. He attributes that conception of leadership to guru and AT&T executive Robert Greenleaf, citing that author’s germinal work, Servant Leadership, at several points.
- The principal strengths of DePree’s book are to be found in his practical application of the tenets of Servant Leadership, and in the stories that illustrate his observations and advice.
A Work in Progress
I was genuinely delighted by the meeting, but not quite satisfied. I thought the discussion went very well, that it was interesting, engaging, and even entertaining. I believe that each person at the table spoke at one time or another during the session, and that everyone was engaged throughout. However, I also felt that our meeting process is still not optimal, as if I were tasting a soup on the stove that is very savory, but not yet quite right. How to balance the seasoning?
I sought and received process input from the group. Members offered two suggestions, with which I wholeheartedly agree:
- Focus a bit more. Use the discussion guide to focus the discussion on a core theme related to the work.
- Gather key points. End the discussion about 10 minutes earlier, then lead the group to articulate the key points gathered from the reading. We will save these as a summary to be used over time.
We’ll start implementing these immediately, and I’ll solicit additional suggestions from the group, as well.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be Wednesday December 19, 7:30 – 9:00 AM, at the Hill Library. The book will be The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One that Isn’t, by Robert Sutton, a professor at Stanford University. Josie Taylor will lead the discussion.
New members are welcome – for more information see the Webpage or my previous Blog post. Or, for any questions or comments, give me a call or drop me a line.
CAW
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