Passion in your work

Watching Morning Joe and they are at Bronx Charter School for Excellence. Head of School - Charlene Reid talks about having teachers who buy into the mission. Reminded me of the book "Good to Great", having the right people on the bus. Having the people in your organization who buy into the mission and have a passion to do the work. Sometime in your life, you have to go beyond just going to a job and getting a paycheck. I get up every morning excited, because I have an opportunity to impact a girl's life. I have a passion for girl's and this 'opportunity' allows me to do this everyday. The reason I say 'opportunity' and not job, because I had a career in banking for 23 years. Now I am doing what I have a passion for everyday. Do a self check -- are you doing everyday what you have a passion for or you at a job getting a paycheck? If you answered getting a paycheck .... make a commitment today to start doing what you have to do, to get to the place where you are doing what you have a passion for everyday.

As always commanding my morning,

Mary C Hartfield

The 10 Principles of Power

Principle #1 They Keep The End in Sight

In this article Michele Booth Cole, Executive Dirctor of Safe Shores wanted to buy a building from the city and expand the organization.  The city told them that owning was out of the question.  She had to realize that the overeaching goals was securing a larger space.  She had to weigh her options and remember what the overreaching goal was, even though they wanted to own their own space.  They ended up leasing  a 17,000-square-foot building that they were able to have a central role in the design and layout. The article talks about Cole's ability to focus on the nonprofit's mission was a key factor in using her power.  "A leader who's self-aware and knowledgeable about a company's core values can guide critical decisions and enable the organization to be prudent under pressure."

You have to know your company's core values.  There is going to come a time that you are going to have to make a decision and it is going to come done to the mission and core values of the company.

I work for Girl Scouts and overall I am there to serve the girls. Our mission: "Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place."  So my activities should always be based on this mission and the Girl Scout Leadership Experience that we want every girl to experience.  

When we as individuals 'Keep the End in Sight' this will keep you focus on what you should be doing in your everyday activities.  Forget about the distractions ....focus on your mission.  This should drive you everyday work.  If it doesn't, maybe you should rethink if you are in the right organization.

 

As always command your day,

 

Mary C Hartfield

The 10 Principles of Power

I am reading my October 2011 Essence Magazine and I thought I will give you my thoughts on the articles in the magazine.  This is a powerful reminder of what it takes to be a true leader.  Here is the subtitle under the article title - 'What does it take to be a true leader? To start, you must be willing to embrace your strengths, apply these ten essential traits of power players, for a swift climb up the ladder of success'.  The article was written by Lonnae O'Neal Parker.  Here is one of the quotes from Michelle Booth Cole, Executive Director Safe Shores - "Power is about sharing leadership and cultivating others to get things done with a real sense of excellence".  I thought this was a powerful statement.  You as a leader have to be willing to share yor leadership.  How many leaders do you know that are willing to do this?  How many bosses have you worked for that are willing to share?  If you are a leader are you sharing your leadership and cultivating others to get things done with a real sense of excellence?  I will leave you with these questions and share tomorrow the first principle.

 

As always command your day,

 

Mary C Hartfield