Leadership style is something that is unique to the individual; your personality is indetachable from your authentic leadership and that is great, but we do ask that each leader intentionally thinks about how their own tone, attitude and conduct may affect their presence in the project and affects their ability to effectively carry out aspects of the role.
Don’t be a Dictator
What do we mean? We think of ‘Dictator’ style leadership as a ‘top down’ approach where the leader delegates, calls all the shots without listening and just generally asserts a forceful authority. Groups of volunteers will not respond well to this! It also does not suit a teamwork environment. Instead:
- Understand that you do not have all the answers!
- Be appreciative of others’ perspectives.
- ‘Ask’ , don’t ‘tell’.
- Approach every situation with empathy and an attitude of support.
- Practice using an understanding tone and listen.
- Utilise critical thinking in all decision making.
The Servant Leadership Approach
Instead, we ask that you approach the role with a servant leadership approach, leading with a ‘bottom up’ approach and prioritising the needs of those around you. Here’s a good quote:
“The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is ‘leader first.’ The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the “top of the pyramid,” servant leadership is different. The servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible.”
In addition, a Think Pacific leader acts in service to the volunteer, or in other words, Think Pacific customers. As a staff member, a leader is in service to key stakeholders (partners, communities, etc.).