Leadership means something different to each of us

You could ask a thousand people what leadership means and get a thousand different answers. Leadership means something different for each of us. An individual who guides and manages or takes charge may be in a leadership role, but that doesn’t make them a leader. A leader inspires others to grow and be bigger and better than they are today.

Leadership author and speaker John Maxwell once said, “The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development.”

I could not agree more. That is why Great Plains Technology Center has invested in our future leaders through our Aspiring Leadership Foundation Academy (ALFA). I’ve asked our current class to define leadership and answer why it’s important to them to develop their leadership skills. Here are a few of their answers:

“… leadership can be defined as an influential power relationship in which the power of one party promotes movement /change in others. Good leaders embody expert power, credibility, trust, and authenticity,” said Michelle Douglas with our Business and Industry Services. “I want to gain new skills to set more ambitions and be bolder.”

Our HVAC instructor, Ridge Miller, says, “leadership is not simply giving direct orders as a supervisor; rather, it should instill trust in others to do their best daily. Leadership skills can be useful in all life phases, not just in the workplace but also personally. I believe the core of being a good leader is a focus on establishing relationships.”

Hannah Ellis with Student Services said, “ ALFA allowed me to connect with different departments on campus and build relationships. On our normal days, we do not slow down to visit others on our diverse campus, but with our monthly meetings and events, I get to explore the campus and other members’ job duties. I am not a local to Lawton, so I have also gained an understanding of Lawton and all it has to offer. I am grateful for this opportunity through GP Tech.”

Instructional Support Specialist Dana Ponder shared her thoughts. “Leadership is an essential element for achieving a plan within an organization. When evaluating the consequences of a challenging choice or emergency, it is crucial to possess a leader who can effectively cooperate with all parties involved.” Regarding developing her leadership skills, “To develop problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities, examining the most efficient solutions in different situations is imperative. It is crucial to be decisive when holding a position of authority. Individuals with a lifelong learning mindset are highly effective leaders who consistently strive to acquire new methodologies. “

Tyler Renick, Industrial Maintenance Instructor, shared the following, “Effective leadership manages people and tasks in a way that effectively recognizes and works to utilize and develop not only an individual’s talents and abilities but the combined time, talents, abilities, and resources of a group while valuing the time, resources, and product of the group. The importance is that in our current labor environment, finding and keeping well-qualified, highly skilled talent can be challenging, and leadership makes the difference when the compensation is close or possibly not particularly in an employer’s favor. Great employers, opportunities, and employees seek out great leaders.”

Brandon Atwood, Pre-Engineering Instructor, Life Ready Center: “Leadership is prioritizing the team’s needs and inspiring them towards a common goal. Developing leadership skills is important because it teaches me how to create a positive learning environment and make decisions that significantly contribute to student growth.”

Instructional Coordinator Paula Morris shared, “I believe leadership is the ability to motivate, guide, and influence others to achieve common goals and take responsibility for the outcomes of decisions made. Developing leadership skills is important because it helps you excel in various aspects of life, such as your career, relationships, and personal growth. It allows you to inspire and empower others, make effective decisions, and drive positive change. Leadership is about serving others and creating a shared sense of purpose.”

A shared sense of purpose. Absolutely! Everything we do at Great Plains ties back to our mission and shared purpose of preparing individuals for success in work and life. That doesn’t just mean our students; it represents our staff, too. That’s why ALFA is vital to Great Plains Technology Center. I’m excited to watch this new cohort continue to develop and grow over these next few months.

Clarence Fortney is superintendent of Great Plains Technology Center.