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<< back to the 2001 archive listing << Dairy, Food and Environmental Sanitation Commentary From The Executive Director One positive thing you can do to prepare for your future as
a leader is to become involved with IAFP Consider these definitions from Miriam Webster’s dictionary: Lead: to direct the operations, activity, or performance of (to lead an expedition), to have charge of (to lead a department). Leadership: the office or position of a leader, capacity to lead, the act or an instance of leading. Leader: a person who leads. Do you believe a leadership position is something you can just accept without preparation? How does one become a leader? What traits make up a great leader? This month we will investigate these questions and more. Are you doing all that you can to become a leader for your company or organization? One positive thing that you can do to prepare for your future as a leader is to become involved with the International Association for Food Protection. Through involvement, you will gain confidence in your ability; your peers will notice you and begin to think of you as a leader. Involvement in the Association is simple. One easy way to become involved is by joining a Professional Development Group (PDG) by expressing your interest to our office or directly to the PDG Chairperson. PDGs encompass commodities and special interest areas. Through the PDG system, symposia are developed for presentation at the IAFP Annual Meetings. You could achieve a position of leadership by organizing a symposium, by presenting in a symposium or by accepting the Vice Chairperson position. Each of these methods of ground-floor involvement will build your confidence and character. This could be the stepping stone to additional leadership positions within the Association. Another way to prepare for a leadership role is to change your behavior. Just by adapting or changing your behavior, you can "self-direct" yourself to become leadership material. You may want to change your outlook and vision of the organization. By supporting positive changes that help shape the organization’s future, you will again, be recognized by your peers. A positive attitude and enthusiasm works wonders for you and those around you. Do you practice giving complements? Both developing leaders and established leaders may practice this activity. By complementing co-workers (subordinates, equals and superiors), you are recognizing their efforts exerted. Everyone likes recognition for his or her accomplishments. Through complements, you give encouragement to the individual to continue performing at their best. This is the easiest way to build teamwork and achieve common goals. It is an essential tool for leaders to use. One "must do" is to maintain your honesty and integrity. Think of leaders that inspire you or have inspired you in the past. These leaders may be inter-national leaders, local leaders or even family and friends. Now think about what impresses you the most about these leaders. Honesty and integrity are at the top of the list of what it takes to become a leader. Honesty and integrity determine the difference between just doing a job and embodying a concept. By maintaining your honesty and integrity, you lead by example. You then become recognized as a trusted staff member who co-workers rely on for straightforward answers to their questions. Simplicity, expression and listening are also elements that help create leadership qualities. Sometimes expressing your views in a clear, concise manner rather than adding complexity through big, cumbersome words helps identify you as authentic. Practice clarity in all of your verbal and written communications — even E-mail communication. Listening to others when they speak and really paying attention — full attention — will pay dividends. You show that you value the speaker’s input and opinions when you listen carefully. Some of these ideas just seem like common sense. So much like common sense that many times we forget to practice good leadership skills. Whether you are a new graduate or a long-term employee, paying attention to leadership qualities will help your department or organization. Practicing leadership qualities will improve your attitude and outlook. Seasoned leaders can also do their part in developing new leaders by nurturing younger staff members and expanding their skills. Shown on page 138 are two leaders in the Association that I want to call your attention to. In this issue, we announce our 2001-2002 Secretary Candidates. Kathy Glass, from the University of Wisconsin and David Golden, at the University of Tennessee are the Candidates. By agreeing to be Candidates, Kathy and David are ready to lead the Association when their time comes. Both Kathy and David are recognized as leaders at their individual universities and within the food science community. Remember that these leadership skills are not something either of them developed overnight. It took many years of hard work, dedication to what they believe in, working with other professionals, providing clear, concise input and listening when necessary. Now they have achieved another peak in their professional journey through life, to be selected as a Candidate for Secretary of the International Association for Food Protection. We wish them both well during the election knowing that there will be no loser in this election. Yes, one will become the Secretary, but both will continue to be leaders in the Association and at their universities! |