Throughout our time working in human services, we realize that people with leadership titles are not the only ones utilizing leadership skills. Having a leadership title does not automatically make for a strong leader. This has been recognized by people in all career fields that require leading and following.
Investing in professional development and helping to grow employees is important for all companies. Benchmarks’ Tara Fields, Chief Operating Officer, and Jenny Cooper, Chief Research & Development Officer, engage our staff in varied trainings and development opportunities. These experiences allow all Center for Quality Integration employees to expand their perspectives and skillsets. Tara and Jenny have recognized that every person on staff demonstrates leadership qualities. Every staff member can harness her internal leader, and model this leadership, regardless of title and position as she moves through the workplace and life.
Jenny has been leading staff through Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead book and workbook. This work has encouraged staff to lead with courage and demonstrate vulnerability with one another. Throughout the workbook exercises, our team has learned to be more vulnerable with each other in a psychologically safe workplace. We practice these exercises together so that we can model doing our brave project work with our whole hearts. By utilizing concepts such as “being clear is being kind” in our daily partnering work, we model helpful leadership skills to all we encounter, demonstrating compassion, vulnerability, as well as the willingness to change, grow and learn from others. By setting these examples in our own work culture, our staff encourage community partners to do the same in their work. By no means is this easy work, as it requires whole-heartedness while being honest and willing to have tough conversations when needed. However, as Brene says, it is always worth “being brave with our lives and work”! We are transforming the way we show up and lead by utilizing tools we have learned in Dare to Lead and we are grateful for the opportunity!
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