Leadership plays a large role in my internship. In any business, organization, or situation there will be change. Those who rise to the challenge of change and facilitate the process demonstrate leadership. Change requires strong leadership.
Change is uncomfortable and unknown and doesn't always bring out the best in people. This presents another challenge associated with effective leadership. James G. Clawson wrote, “The challenge of effective leadership is to bring out the best in others” (2012).
Well, that seems like a recipe for failure- leadership is change and leadership is bringing out the best in others- even though change does not lend itself to bringing out the best in people... I guess no one said leadership is easy.
Change is uncomfortable and unknown and doesn't always bring out the best in people. This presents another challenge associated with effective leadership. James G. Clawson wrote, “The challenge of effective leadership is to bring out the best in others” (2012).
Well, that seems like a recipe for failure- leadership is change and leadership is bringing out the best in others- even though change does not lend itself to bringing out the best in people... I guess no one said leadership is easy.
These are just two aspects of leadership. There are volumes written on leadership- but, I am just looking at these two aspects right now. I think we are all familiar- at least to some extent- with change. Something is being done one way, or is going one direction and it needs to be done another way- or turned in a different direction. That's change.
What does "bringing out the best in others" mean? What does that look like? Part of what it means is that a leader will recognize every individual’s talents and potential. They will see how each person is a valuable asset to the team. This is important to accomplish the goals of the organization. Additionally, it is important for the individual. One's motivation and happiness in the work place has a big impact on their general well-bing in their life.
So, I was looking for images relating to leadership online. Let's face it– a blog post without pictures or visuals is no blog post at all. Am I right? I found a really great one here. Interestingly enough, it really does a great job of describing how my supervisor- or the program director at TRUST- works as a leader. She is extremely talented at bringing out the best in people and helping to develop further. She leads through instruction, inclusion, developing people, and building relationships. These pieces come together to create a great organizational foundation.
Well, I took the image from the website and changed it a little bit to represent TRUST as an organization. Now, hold on. Hold on. I know you are probably thinking that people are leaders, not organizations! (duh).
Here's the picture. It's worth a thousand words. Look at it, and then we will talk about it. I think you may decide I'm not totally crazy by the end of this.
It is pretty obvious I blotted out their words and put my own on each puzzle piece. The imagery of puzzle pieces connecting together just fits TRUST perfectly. Here's why.
Training and Resources United to Stop Trafficking (TRUST) is working to affect change in our community around the heinous crime of human trafficking. That change being- it needs to stop. The thing about trafficking is that it is very complex and multi-disciplinary. This means it takes expertise and efforts from a wide variety of stakeholders in the community. The puzzle pieces above represent some of these.
This group represents a vast array of interests and talents. How do we get everyone on the same page at the same time to work towards this goal together? The anti-trafficking movement will be so much more effective if the different entities know what everyone else is doing so that we don't duplicate efforts and we can make resources go as far as possible. This is where TRUST fits in.
The program director is very good at recognizing the best in others- or what each entity brings to the table to forward the cause. She also understands that for real change to happen, it takes a unified effort. This is the mission of TRUST- to partner with all the entities and be a kind of "information hub". This way, TRUST can facilitate collaboration and coordinate needs. Let's say one of the transitional resources- like housing- needs toothbrushes. And, we know a dental provider has a bunch of toothbrushes that have to be given out as part of their community involvement. Guess what? The housing and the dental care place don't know each other- but TRUST knows them both. TRUST knows what each has and what each needs. Matchy-matchy.
Another example? Let's say it is 2 am and law enforcement has intercepted a trafficked victim. She is tired and needs to sleep. Where is he going to put her? In jail? No. TRUST knows what transitional facilities has beds open- we can match them up. See how it works like a puzzle? Pieces fit together and the efforts unite to create a picture of success in combatting trafficking.
There are many movements that have a wide range of stakeholders. Too often each entity- NPOs, NGOs, law enforcement, victim services, etc- are working in "silos", meaning they don't know what other efforts are out there and what resources there are. It is a pretty revolutionary approach to get everyone at the same table and work in unison. Our efforts and work goes so much further that way.
Forming a new change model that emphasizes the skills and resources of each entity is leadership. And, TRUST would only work in leading the community efforts if it had a strong leader who can see the direction it needs to go and manage all the information sharing. By interning at this organization, I learn fabulous leadership skills. At the same time, I become a leader in the community on anti-trafficking as I take training organized by TRUST and helping in the day-to-day affairs to reach out to other stakeholders to increase their training and resources.
What does "bringing out the best in others" mean? What does that look like? Part of what it means is that a leader will recognize every individual’s talents and potential. They will see how each person is a valuable asset to the team. This is important to accomplish the goals of the organization. Additionally, it is important for the individual. One's motivation and happiness in the work place has a big impact on their general well-bing in their life.
So, I was looking for images relating to leadership online. Let's face it– a blog post without pictures or visuals is no blog post at all. Am I right? I found a really great one here. Interestingly enough, it really does a great job of describing how my supervisor- or the program director at TRUST- works as a leader. She is extremely talented at bringing out the best in people and helping to develop further. She leads through instruction, inclusion, developing people, and building relationships. These pieces come together to create a great organizational foundation.
Well, I took the image from the website and changed it a little bit to represent TRUST as an organization. Now, hold on. Hold on. I know you are probably thinking that people are leaders, not organizations! (duh).
Here's the picture. It's worth a thousand words. Look at it, and then we will talk about it. I think you may decide I'm not totally crazy by the end of this.
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| TRUST's Vision: Arizona will create a best-practices model featuring a coordinated approach to domestic minor sex trafficking with specific emphasis on increasing public awareness, demand reduction, prosecution of traffickers and buyers, and victim services. |
Training and Resources United to Stop Trafficking (TRUST) is working to affect change in our community around the heinous crime of human trafficking. That change being- it needs to stop. The thing about trafficking is that it is very complex and multi-disciplinary. This means it takes expertise and efforts from a wide variety of stakeholders in the community. The puzzle pieces above represent some of these.
This group represents a vast array of interests and talents. How do we get everyone on the same page at the same time to work towards this goal together? The anti-trafficking movement will be so much more effective if the different entities know what everyone else is doing so that we don't duplicate efforts and we can make resources go as far as possible. This is where TRUST fits in.
The program director is very good at recognizing the best in others- or what each entity brings to the table to forward the cause. She also understands that for real change to happen, it takes a unified effort. This is the mission of TRUST- to partner with all the entities and be a kind of "information hub". This way, TRUST can facilitate collaboration and coordinate needs. Let's say one of the transitional resources- like housing- needs toothbrushes. And, we know a dental provider has a bunch of toothbrushes that have to be given out as part of their community involvement. Guess what? The housing and the dental care place don't know each other- but TRUST knows them both. TRUST knows what each has and what each needs. Matchy-matchy.
Another example? Let's say it is 2 am and law enforcement has intercepted a trafficked victim. She is tired and needs to sleep. Where is he going to put her? In jail? No. TRUST knows what transitional facilities has beds open- we can match them up. See how it works like a puzzle? Pieces fit together and the efforts unite to create a picture of success in combatting trafficking.
There are many movements that have a wide range of stakeholders. Too often each entity- NPOs, NGOs, law enforcement, victim services, etc- are working in "silos", meaning they don't know what other efforts are out there and what resources there are. It is a pretty revolutionary approach to get everyone at the same table and work in unison. Our efforts and work goes so much further that way.
Forming a new change model that emphasizes the skills and resources of each entity is leadership. And, TRUST would only work in leading the community efforts if it had a strong leader who can see the direction it needs to go and manage all the information sharing. By interning at this organization, I learn fabulous leadership skills. At the same time, I become a leader in the community on anti-trafficking as I take training organized by TRUST and helping in the day-to-day affairs to reach out to other stakeholders to increase their training and resources.
Mamie,
ReplyDeleteI had never heard about Trust AZ until your blog and I would like to thank you for introducing me to the organization and your posts. I think the leadership and community based interests/skills (that Trust displays) are what at risk youths need in an organization. Its great that you are doing so much to support the youth!