Page 45 - 2019 March Voices

LOCKE ON LEADERSHIP

Leadership Through Vulnerability and Trust

Patrick Locke, DTM

Leadership seems to penetrate every segment of I was in a meeting the other day with some
what we do. Think about it! Even when we don’t Toastmasters who wanted to execute the process
believe we are leading in reality we are. By our of doing High Performance Leadership Projects
very example of how we interact with someone (HPL). They were at various levels of challenges

we are leading. Our actions create our character. deciding what to do at one place and how to do
How does this leadership concept of “Always it at another. We developed an extraordinary
Leading” translate into Toastmasters. There’s conversation over the period of time. We
always someone out there watching what you’re brought out questions, clarified concepts, talked

doing, and when I say watching I mean this in about ideas. That meeting was one of the most
a very positive way. Someone may admire or energizing conversations I could imagine.
respect us and subconsciously want to emulate Members were engaged. They talked about
our actions. possibilities that could stimulate membership

. . . developing the soft skills of leadership are so important

Toastmasters, for the most part, are here to growth. Ideas, that identified potential to move

learn. For me that would mean members are teams of people toward excellence. They made
watching other members to see what they do, commitments to each other to take specific steps
how they act. We’ve heard the saying, “Success toward specific goals that each member would
breeds success. . . ” haven’t we? Think about do by the next meeting.

children, they learn by watching then emulating This team was willing to talk about why they
what they see being done. Whatever new were having challenges moving ahead. Each
members or guests see happening in a meeting member, whether consciously or subconsciously,
is thought as the norm or the standard. If we’re decided to be vulnerable and express their

performing a role—Grammarian, Toastmaster, concerns and challenges about what they were
Topicmaster, Timer (whatever it is), new and attempting to do. It is in that place of vulnerability
seasoned members are watching us! We’re setting that trust is created. Once the foundation of trust
the example at that moment. is established commitment will now be honored.

What do we want to engrave on their minds? When commitment is honored, accountability
Leadership—this all translates into leadership. will follow and through accountability you will
That is why developing the soft skills of leadership see results. Allow yourself to be in a place of
are so important. vulnerability and be a trust builder.

VOICES! | MARCH 2019 45