Grand Prairie, Texas – where Lisa is the Director of HR – is a high-performing culture. Grand Prairie Deputy City Manager Cheryl De Leon spearheads an initiative to develop high-performing leaders in the city.
Today, join me and Lisa as we talk about the Grow Me Grand Mentorship program, a leadership program centered around mentors who serve 2 to 3 other city employees so the city’s high-performing culture can have the opportunity to continue to blossom for years to come.
Ben Thatcher, City Manager for Boerne, Texas joins us today to discuss leadership and change management. Boerne (pronounced bur-nee) is a gem of the Texas hill country located about 25 miles northwest of San Antonio.
Under Ben’s leadership, the city has established a mission, vision, and values statement. These foundational principles serve city leadership’s change (growth/improvement) initiatives.
We will never bring disgrace on this our City by an act of dishonesty or cowardice.
We will fight for the ideals and Sacred Things of the City both alone and with many.
We will revere and obey the City’s laws, and will do our best to incite a like reverence and respect in those above us who are prone to annul them or set them at naught.
We will strive unceasingly to quicken the public’s sense of civic duty.
Thus, in all these ways, we will transmit this City not only, not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.
What do you do with a team leader or team member who is undermining the work and the culture? While you’re working hard to set sail for fast smooth, waters they’re behind your back (usually) drilling holes in the hull of the boat.
Today’s show was largely sparked by two quotes.
“Make sure everybody in your boat is rowing and not drilling holes when you’re not looking. Know your circle.”
And…
“Be careful who you let on your ship, because some people will sink the whole ship just because they can’t be captain.”
Every leader has or will experience saboteurs. It’s urgent that we find ways to quickly identify them, give them a short-period of time to stop their destructive behavior and get them on board or off our boat.
Check out the work of my buddy, Leo Bottary. He co-authored the book, The Power of Peers. And he wrote two other books, What Anyone Can Do and Peernovation. Leo’s work is intensely focused on the power of who surrounds us. It’s a big part of the last sentence of that first quote, “Know your circle.”
Today we’re joined by Grand Prairie Chief of Police Daniel Scesney. Daniel (he prefers to not be called ‘Chief’) has an extensive background in police work and leadership. A former Marine, Daniel spent years in police investigative work, including major crimes. He was promoted from being a police sergeant to assistant chief, something his peers mocked him for even attempting. 😉
We talk about influencing our teams, our peers, our superiors, our “customers” and even our detractors. You’re going to enjoy getting to know more about Daniel and his leadership journey. Daniel also teaches a semester of a graduate course on Leadership Executive Administrative Development (LEAD) at Texas Christian University (his alma mater for his master’s degree – Go Frogs!).
A positive attitude brings much gratitude. Think positive, be positive, speak positive. Do it every day, make it a HABIT.”
This isn’t some touchy, feely kind of a thing. It’s more intentional, purposeful, tactical and strategic. As we enter a brand new year – another year of uncertainty – it’s urgent that we incorporate optimism, hope, love and fun into our leadership. And gratitude. After all, we’re hotting pursuing high performance for ourselves and our teams.
Lisa texted me the image below and asked, “What do you think about this quote as a show topic?”
I read it quickly, then I read it more carefully.
There is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some people come into your life to test you, some to teach you, some to use you, and some to bring out the very best in you.
Within minutes I responded to her texted question, “I’m in.”
We both felt like it’d be a great end of the year conversation. Today is show #37 for this iteration of the Grow Great Podcast. We’re happy to be doing this together with each other – and with all of you. Lisa and I are both optimistic about the future. Hopefully, we can serve to influence your leadership optimism, too. This podcast is our aim at helping bring out the very best in you – and in ourselves.
