Members Only | 05.26.20
How Bright Is Your Halo?
By Melissa Walters, MHA, CPMSM, CPCS, MSOW-C, FMSP
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote (below) can be applied to almost every aspect of one’s life, but as a leader, “leaving a trail” is something we should aspire to accomplish. Henry S. Givray, chairman and former CEO of SmithBucklin, commented, “Leadership is the uniquely consistent and defining force behind great, enduring organizations.” As we look forward to the future leaders of NAMSS, it is important that our leadership embraces the NAMSS Leadership Principles and become that defining force behind our amazing association.
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Volunteer leadership is not for the faint of heart. Many of my dear colleagues and friends have shared some of the issues they have had to address along their leadership journey. Issues such as: conflict management among board leaders (and this is even harder if they are your friend or another colleague within the same facility or health system), recruiting future leaders, declining membership, budgetary constraints, lack of employer support, etc. The list goes on and on. This is where leadership mentoring can come into play. Let’s face it, we are all on this journey together, and there is nothing like phoning, emailing, or texting a friend or colleague for advice, to talk through various situations, or simply to vent.
Mentoring is the fundamental form of human development, where one person invests time, energy, and personal knowledge to assist in the growth and development of another person. I was blessed to have been a mentor to another NAMSS member and past state president. She and I connected at the NAMSS conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We set up a schedule and talked regularly. We discussed many of the issues noted above and options on how to address them, and we also talked about her leadership path, setting goals and objectives to accomplish along the way. I learned just as much from her as I hope she learned from me. One of our jobs as leaders is to inspire and grow future leaders. I know I would not be the leader that I am today if it wasn’t for the mentors I have had along my path.
When I think about volunteer leadership and what it means to me, my first thought is servant leadership. This is how I often define my leadership style. However, I read a lot, and a few years ago, I came across an online article in Forbes titled “7 Traits of Amazing Volunteers — Big Challenges Call for an Amazing Tribe.” This article was written during my term as NAMSS President, and of course it inspired me as it remarked that the “standard volunteer is insufficient, and that mediocrity is lethal.” Also, it stated that if an organization wants to take on big challenges, it needs an amazing tribe. The seven traits the article listed are:
1. Results driven: They want to implement great programs and attract more amazing volunteers.
2. Passionate professionalism: Bring your best volunteer effort.
3. Collaborative mindset: Work with the association’s leadership to identify, cultivate, and realize highly value-added partnerships.
4. Make no excuses: Stick to their commitments. They have no “flake” factor.
5. Constant champion: They do not have an off switch and always find a way to spread the word.
6. Energizer: They are amped when collaborating, friendships form, fun is present, and it feels like family. This sounds like how we all feel during the NAMSS conferences.
7. It’s a match: You think less about what’s in it for you and more about how you as the volunteer can make a difference.
This list is reflected in every one of our NAMSS Leadership Principles, and it really resonated and continues to resonate with me. Over the last several years, the NAMSS Board has been focused on developing MSPs’ skills, and this is evidenced by the Leadership Certificate Program, Ready to Lead, Emerging Professionals, Leadership Track at the conference, and the recently formed Leadership Development Work Group. Your individual pathway to NAMSS volunteer leadership includes getting involved in your state and local chapter, achieving your certification, publishing an article in Synergy or Gateway, developing and submitting an abstract to speak at the NAMSS conference, connecting with another NAMSS leader/mentor, and most importantly taking a leap of faith and stepping outside of your comfort zone. You will be amazed at what you are able to accomplish.
The call for NAMSS volunteer leadership is now. How bright is your halo?
Click here to read Melissa’s teaser article on Gateway.
This article appeared in the Quarter 2 2020 issue of Synergy.