Leadership is... Part 2

The opportunity to run for 1st VP of the PGI gives me a chance to evaluate how

I choose to lead. For the past 12 years, I have served on the Town Council of

Mulberry, IN. For the past 10 years I have held the office of president. I have decided not to hold the office of president after my term ends this December. Each year the council nominates and elects from the 5 member board a president and vice president and if nominated in 2012 I will decline. My reason stems from learning how other leaders served very effectively, while in leadership, and continued to have a very positive impact as they stepped aside. One book that I found very informative and helpful "Good to Great" by John Collins points out that solid effective leadership continues after that leader no longer holds the lead position. The author Jim Collins reveals the findings of in depth study by his research group of twenty one people who examined over six months all the key details of companies that went from good to great. One of the key elements to these companies impressive growth was their leadership. This type of leader prepares and helps those who will follow after to be ready to take the reins as he or she steps down.

My ten years as town council president are going to end this year by my choice. I believe leadership needs to set goals work to achieve those goals and then step aside. These companies that made the leap from ‘good to great’ had leaders with several distinct characteristics. One of these was “Ambition for the Company: Setting up Successors for Success. While it may seem strange to talk about leaving a position before even being elected, I think this is a fundamental part of good leadership. You build on the hard work of your predecessors, advance the cause while in leadership, and document clearly what you have been doing and communicate this information to those who will be your successors. Then you step away passing the baton to your successor and prepare to enjoy some potential free time.

Leadership - taking a position on an issue

Here is a question I was asked recently and my response.  I asked for his
permission to quote his question and comments to help give the context.


Paul,
This is Dan Creagan the MFR asking - not the 2nd VP.

What are your feelings on increasing the number of competition items in the Aerial Levels for the convention?

Fair dues: Paul knows this discussion is current with the board because the competition committee has given the board their recommendations and Paul has been copied on most of the traffic. It is a loaded question in some ways so I apologize for that part. However, candidates are not allowed to participate in the discussions of the board (only watch) so I figure this would be a good place to put Paul on the spot. ;-} BTW: Not only is this question loaded, it is not an easy one.

Dan is correct about my observing this age old discussion take place.  Dark sky versus enough time for competition and how to reach a good balance on this subject.  Ten years experience on the B-line demonstrates that often when there is available dark sky after competition it is not utilized.

My view with the current data available is to be in favor of the recommended increase of the number of competition items in certain Aerial Levels. 

Based on the dark sky available and the projected time more entries would take, it seems feasible to do the increase and not dramatically alter the amount of dark sky left for open shooting.  Plus the B-line crew is working this year to take another step toward even more efficiency so more shells can be launched even if there is less time.  One continual focus on both sides of this discussion needs to be on always seeking do competition and open shooting more efficiently.  These past ten years great progress has been made in this area but we need to keep evaluating this each convention.  There are variables at play here that will mean more discussion will be needed as the Guild progresses.  Manufacturing on site gives greater potential for more shells to be launched in open shooting.  More people getting into competition due to the shell building classes and a spin off from manufacturing could mean more time needed for competition.   

So should I be elected I expect to be involved in this discussion each year

trying to effectively respond to the requests by each group of the guild

memberships asking for more “More Dark Sky”.