Page 44 - 2018 September Voices

LOCKE ON LEADERSHIP

Creating Solid Teams

Patrick Locke, DTM

Integrity, Respect, Service, and Excellence, how appeared calm but I realized there were millions
do these core values fit into your life and your of gallons of water rushing toward the ocean
role as a Toastmaster and leader? Last month I over a hundred miles away. Like the boat, we
left you with a thought to exercise and develop Toastmasters work our way through the river of

your core values. To become more aware of how information flowing past us. All the tools, all the
values connect to actions. One reader wrote, “I information, all the help we could ever ask for is
began to think about what service to my club right at our fingertips. If we don’t reach out and
truly means. I hadn’t thought about arriving grab these resources and activate their power,

early to a meeting as connecting to values.” they remain flowing around us as a river and
Think about something as simple as arriving although visible remain hidden in plain sight.
to a meeting fifteen minutes prior to start time. As a leader, how do you develop or inspire
The act itself demonstrates your integrity to your someone to develop their leadership skills? Last

Toastmaster Promise. It also shows respect for month I shared with you the Toastmaster Core
other members and their time. You may have Values as behaviors. What do these values look
an opportunity to be of service to someone by like in action? As a Toastmaster, how do you
helping set up or fill an open role. When done put these values into practice? This interaction

with a joyful attitude, only excellence can follow. brings on another set of values which create
Have you noticed, as you focus attention on a team environment and culture. Developing
something your thoughts begin to move to a well-functioning teams is one of the most
deeper awareness? You begin to identify more important skills a leader must acquire. No

sources of information; you begin noticing little matter what we do, there will be many points
clues here and there that spark your interest. A of contact with other people. Embodied within
book, an article, a conversation happens to touch team development is another set of values.
on the subject. My awareness has heightened Let’s call them “Team Values.” Trust, Conflict,

as my understanding of the importance of Commitment, Accountability, and Results,
leadership development has grown. these five team values and the four core values
The other day I watched a boat working interface to create solid teams with the abilities
its way down the Columbia River. The water to create empowering organizations that

44 ONE COMMUNITY