BOARD PERSPECTIVE
BY ANGLEA FLETCHER , PRESIDENT ELECT
Lessons from Geese : A Lesson Learned , a Foundation for Life
Delegate . Delegation is a sign of strength , not weakness . Don ’ t be afraid to delegate tasks . If you need the help , take the help as well .
Collaboration . We should collaborate and work with our teams on a daily basis because it will make us stronger . Just as we have ideas , others have ideas too that we should embrace .
Transformation . Empower others to lead . People have unique skills , capabilities , and gifts to offer . Give others autonomy , trust , and a chance to shine and you will be surprised with the outcomes .
Taking the lead . Offer support in challenging times . You should step up and take the lead . It will empower others to also take the lead .
As we start the 2021 New Year and put 2020 behind us , I want everyone to reflect on leadership and teamwork to help make the upcoming year fantastic . “ Lessons from Geese ” is a lesson learned . A Foundation for life .
We can learn about leadership and teamwork from looking at the way geese lead and help each other . Lessons from geese can help us achieve goals , understand the importance of leadership , teamwork , sharing , encouragement , empathy and understanding .
Lessons from geese provides a perfect example of the importance of leadership and teamwork and how it can have a powerful effect on any form of a personal or business endeavor . It is important to remember that leadership and teamwork happen inside and outside of business when it is continuously nurtured .
You all have a flock , whether it is a family flock or a work flock , those are the people that keep you grounded . I have been on this housing journey for 33 years and I have had many flocks .
Sometimes I have been led by others and sometimes I have to lead others , but what ’ s important is teamwork . Teamwork has carried me through the ups and down and the good times and bad times .
As each goose flaps its wings it creates uplift for the birds that follow . By flying at a V formation , the whole flock add 7 percent extra to the flying range . When we have a sense of community and focus , we create trust and it can help us to achieve our goals . When a goose falls out of formation , it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone . Then it quickly moves back to take advantage of the lifting power of the birds in front .
The following is what we all should embrace going into this New Year as geese do .
Encouragement . If we had as much sense as geese , we would stay in formation with those ahead of where we want to go . We should be willing to accept their help and give others help as needed .
Challenge . We should challenge ourselves to help one another on a daily basis and also give help to each other .
Opportunity . Make sure we take the opportunities presented to us each day . To grow , to learn , to teach , and to support , not only in our work life , but in our personal / home life as well .
Heart . It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks . We should respect and protect each other ’ s unique arrangement of skills , capabilities , talents and resources .
Listen . Always listen . Sometimes that is all that is needed for someone to just listen , so that others may be heard .
Be Present . Always be present . Learn your leadership lessons from anyone with something to teach . Every opportunity , every circumstance , every story has a lesson to impart .
Inclusion . Leadership is best shared . We can excel if we stay in formation with those that lead us where we want to go .
Invest . Invest in your flock , whether it is a professional flock or a personal flock . Give your flock praise and recognition they deserve . This will help keep your flock motivated to achieve their goals and help you whenever you need them .
Lastly , I ask you , who are the geese in your life ? If we had as much sense as geese , we would stand by each other in difficult times , as well as when we are strong . This past year , we all have been through some difficult times and we are all much stronger . We need to make sure our honking is encouraging to the “ geese ” in our life . So , can I get a “ Honk Honk ”?
Angela Fletcher is the Regional Vice President at Denver Housing Authority and President-Elect of AAMD .
6 | TRENDS JANUARY 2021 www . aamdhq . org