THE BEST LEADER I EVER HAD

WHAT IS TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP?

Transformational leadership is a process of reciprocation between leaders and followers involving reward-based transactions. It is a model that encourages leaders to "raise one another to higher levels of motivation and morality." In 1980, Bernard Bass sought to develop a distinction between "transactional" leaders and "transformational" leaders. Bass's work was later refined by Lee G. Bolman and Terrence E. Deal. (Kouzes and Posner, 2002). According to Bolman and Deal, transformational leaders are visionaries who recognize their constituents' need to attain higher goals and who move them toward realization of that need. By helping people work toward their goals in this way, transformational leaders can improve the quality of human conduct throughout an organization. (Bolman and Deal, 2003).

HOW DO LEADERS LEAD THROUGH CHANGE?

Leading your organization and team through a big or small change is not always easy. There is never a clear cut definitive direction for each situation, as every change is according to the company at hand. A good reference for leaders is to keep the 3 C's of Change Leadership, that will help smooth out any process. Lets take a deeper look into each.

Communicate. To be a successful leader you must communicate the “what” and the “why” to your team. Give them clear insight as to what is changing and why things had to change. Using the reason "just because" wont cut it either so make sure you are open and honest. Leaders who explain the purpose of the change and connect it to the organization’s values will help create a stronger unit and acceptance from the team when they also understand the urgency for the change.

Collaborate. Let your team have a voice. Ask for their help and opinion to help plan and execute the change. This is a critical step as the team needs to feel like THEY matter. Encourage working as a unit as there is no I in TEAM. Then also include your team in decision-making. In the beginning stages, give them visibility as it will strengthen the commitment to change.

Commit. Lead by example. If you are against the change it will reflect in your team. Your behavior does not go unnoticed and will be matched step by step by your team. Change is HARD, but leaders who negotiated it successfully were resilient and persistent, and willing to step outside their comfort zone. They also devoted more of their own time to the change effort and focused on the big picture.

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A LEADER NOT ONLY IMPACT YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE BUT ALOS YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?

I have been privileged to be led by some amazing leaders in my twenty-six years of being in the workforce. Of all the leaders one stands out the most, Mary Miller. She is not only my boss but also my aunt. She moved to Canada from China at a young age with her mother and brother to have a better life. After a few years of living in Canada and working in a Chinese restaurant, they moved to Dayton, Ohio. She began working with the Chinn family at their family restaurant learning all of the ins' and out's so that one day she could open her own restaurant. In February of 1975 she open The Barnsider on N. Main Street in Dayton. That is where I started my first job, in the coat check room. Throughout the years I learned every inch of that restaurant, and when she opened three more establishments years later; The Wellington Grille, The Blueberry Cafe & Harrisons, I was able to help in each of those establishments as well.

In March of 2020, the whole world took a hit as the world shut down due to the Global Pandemic. Everyone had to PIVOT and ADAPT during these difficult weeks which turned into years. Mary did this in stride and did not miss a beat. She saw the fear in her employees eyes at every single restaurant, and knew she needed to develop a plan that would fit each restaurant, as none of them are the same. She started by talking with ALL of her teams individually, listening to their fears and concerns. She listened to the the patrons of the restaurants and the suppliers. Once she had time to process all the information for each establishment she devised a plan but enlisted each and every employee to help. Of course, she had the final say but she realized there is no WE without THEM. She asked me develop groups on Facebook and texting groups the she could communicate with each group of restaurants as their own entity. There they were allowed to give feedback and communicate with each other and her.

Through including her team and making them feel appreciated and have a voice she did not lose one employee due to the change. She was accommodating everyone. Of course, she lost employees due to the lack of business and cut hours, but they were all welcomed back with open arms should they decide to come back.

I no long work fulltime at any of the restaurants, but I do fill in from time to time. I am even able to take my daughter to work with me and she sits upstairs and has dinner with her "PaPa" while I help with tasks at hand. Mary Miller's leadership is the reason she is so successful, she leads with heart and compassion. If you have never had a boss like Mary Miller, I pray one day you get the privilege to stop in and see her; as she is 81 and still works everyday at Harrisons. Tell her Ellen & Khloe sent you!

References:

Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2003). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership J. Kouzes and B. Posner, The Leadership Challenge, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, 2002