I am currently reading the book “Extreme Ownership” by U.S. Navy SEAL Officers Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. Throughout the book they discuss several crucial elements of leadership, which I have found extremely beneficial and will share with you. The first is that in order to inspire others to follow, a leader must be truly believe in the mission. How can you expect others to deeply believe in the mission, if you don’t?
Willink and Babin explain, “If a leader does not believe, he or she will not take the risks required to overcome the inevitable challenges necessary to win. And they will not be able to convince others to do so. Leaders must always operate with the understanding that they are a part of something greater than themselves and their own personal interests.”
As a leader of your recreation department, it is essential that you understand the mission of the facility. When you fully embody and believe in the mission and vision daily, then that will be clearly conveyed to the other staff. “Once a leader believes in the mission, that belief shines though to those below and above in the chain of command. Actions and word reflect belief with clear confidence and self-assuredness that is not possible when belief is in doubt.”
Sometimes we can get bogged down with the smaller daily tasks that we can forget the bigger picture. But when making decisions, it is important to ask yourself how each outcome will impact the over all mission of the department. Are you working each and every day to fulfill the vision of the university?
“Every leader must be able to detach from the immediate tactical mission and understand how it fits into strategic goals…Leaders must take a step back, deconstruct the situation, analyze the strategic picture and then come to a conclusion.”
Just as it is essential for you as a leader to understand the mission, it is also important for you to explain that mission to your staff. Empower them to make decisions that are aligned with the mission. That way, everyone is working toward the same goal. “The leader must explain not just what to do, but why. Only when leaders at all levels understand and believe in the mission can they pass that understanding and belief to their teams so they can persevere through challenges, execute and win.”
