As you look at and into different organizations to determine their primary source of leadership…what do you see?  Does the Executive Director/CEO provide the priorities for the agency/business?  Or does the Board of Directors “steer-the-ship” and determine steady guidance and recommendations for the future?  Which source of leadership offers the spark for all to gather around and build into a progressive flame?

My answer:  I believe organizational leadership is most often a combination of traditions and personalities.

In many cases I believe the Executive Director/CEO is the person selected and expected to offer progress action recommendations and ideas for an organizations continuous improvement roadmap.  The Board of Directors then assess the concepts, offer development support and more importantly make individual action contributions based on their own areas of expertise.  This blended style of strategy-making and future-thought creates a very strong foundation for employees to align with.

In the case of Boards of Directors assuming the larger leadership role, it is likely that timing and collective interaction may be an operational challenge.  Creating, building and maintaining a sense of continuous improvement maybe less concentrated, thereby allowing for periodic delays in progressive actions.  Please know that there are many very successful businesses and organizations that look more specifically to their Boards for leadership.  However, it is also very possible that the Executive Director/CEO is expected to not just manage the Board’s action plans…but also fulfill a “maintenance-of-effort” leadership role on a day-to-day basis.

So, what is this weeks TRIPLE III TIME real message?  Be a CONTRIBUTING LEADER in your position no matter your organizations leadership structure.  Don’t assume the Executive Director/CEO/Board of Directors  are not interested in your help/ideas!  Don’t assume your thoughts won’t make a difference!  Don’t miss the opportunity to build the future.  Don’t assume that someone else has already raised the issue that you are concerned about.

Be confident in knowing that CONTRIBUTING LEADERS are special too!