Warren Bennis, a pioneer of leadership studies, said “leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”
But, this can be much easier said than done. Becoming an effective leader takes time, keen observation, trial-and-error and reflection on your experiences.
So we asked alumni of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, which inspires this kind of leadership growth by equipping leaders with the knowledge, skills, experiences and connections they need to have an impact in our community, what lessons they’ve learned that have made them more effective leaders.
Actively seek out perspectives different than your own.
For GroundFloor Media President Ramonna Robinson, learning about leadership was just the first step. The Leadership Foundation also connected her with people she may not have otherwise.
“In business—and even in my personal life—I find it extremely beneficial to surround myself with individuals who bring a variety of perspectives to the table,” she said. “Whether I need to think of a solution from a different perspective or come up with a new idea from an industry I’m not familiar with, my Leadership Denver classmates and Leadership Exchange colleagues are only a phone call away and always provide unique and interesting perspectives that broaden my horizons and help me think of things in new ways.”
And seeking all kinds of opinions gives leaders a better understanding of an issue, said Colorado Nonprofit Association President and CEO Renny Fagan, who served on Gov. Roy Romer’s cabinet.
“Outstanding leaders always learn and seek new perspectives,” he said. “(Gov. Romer) always intentionally sought a wide range of viewpoints and usually challenged each staff member in any meeting to speak up. He sought opinions by constantly traversing the state. Because Gov. Romer incorporated many perspectives into his decision making process, his policy outcomes were usually pragmatic and balanced. Even when people disagreed with Romer, they knew their viewpoint was heard.”
Identify your leadership style.
Knowing your strengths can help you make the greatest impact as a leader.
For Perkins Coie Senior Counsel Tara Dunn, that’s playing the role of connector.
“I would consider my leadership style ‘under construction,’ in that I have been learning how I can best contribute and becoming more confident in my efforts,” Dunn said. “I thought that my contributions through being a ‘connector’ might not be of the same caliber of what others do on the specific issues that they are passionate about. I have come to realize that helping people plug in with each other is the best way for me to contribute.”
Embrace diversity.
It can be easy to get into a rut with your peers, as BKD, LLP Managing Partner Travis Webb discovered.
“While I always thought I had diverse opinions around me, my normal contacts consist of professionals in my business and mostly executives of a diverse set of companies,” he said. “Getting in a room with a school teacher, a political consultant, a media personality, a camp director and many others who came from a variety of ethnicities and orientations (through my participation in Leadership Denver) gave me an opportunity to look at challenges from a different perspective than I would have encountered in my normal day.”
Empower the people around you.
And, sometimes the best thing you can do as a leader is give others the opportunity to step up.
Model leadership has reciprocal value,” said Forest City Stapleton Marketing Director Tasha Jones. “Aspire to learn from leaders you admire and emulate aspects of their leadership style that most resonate with you. Seek their mentorship in these areas to begin charting your own leadership path. But most importantly, pay it forward by being a model to those who wish to receive leadership guidance from you.”
It’s that attitude that perpetuates the collaborative and cooperative spirit seen across the Denver metro area, said IHS Senior Director Chris Hansen.
“Leadership from all parts of Denver is what makes this a great city,” he said. “In my volunteer and professional work, I try to look for ways to add value and enable those around me to do the same.”
Never stop learning.
That’s because your work as a leader is never done.
And, as you learn it’s something that you can share with others, said Bespoke Event Group President Justin Ball.
“Always remember to practice being both a student and a teacher of leadership,” Ball said. “Remember to always bring people along in your journey and share not only your successes, but what you have learned from your failures.”
Danielle Mellema is the communications and marketing specialist for the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation.
[Photo by Patrik Nygren]