Be dependable
Establish yourself as a reliable participant. Get grounded in your new role, learn as much as you can and be an expert listener. Show up, contribute and don’t be afraid of sharing your ideas once you have developed trust. I’ve never been the loudest voice or the life of a party, but I do feel as though my contributions are meaningful and deliberate. People will listen when you don’t talk all the time. Above all, do what you say you are going to do even better than anyone else expected.
Create solutions
If something needs to be done, don’t just talk or complain about it. Figure it out and do it yourself- then delegate and include others.
Our cottage is on a small chain of lakes in northern Wisconsin where our beloved vintage Chris Craft has floated since the mid-50s. Each Fourth of July a boat parade takes place that my parents led back in the 80’s & 90’s. About 10 years ago, I complained to our friends and family when only 4 or 5 wooden boats had participated. And guess what? I have led the parade for the last 10 years and have had up to 20 boats parading behind us.
What did it take? I did the research to create a spreadsheet of all the boat owners on the lake and have, over the years, connected with all 37 families to determine whose boat will be restored or stored, available or docked each July 4th. We created community and connection among our crew, including an epic photo shoot in 2015! We have accountability. We have legacy. And perhaps someone else in my family will carry the torch, but until then, I’ll be the one in front with the large flag.
Leading takes effort and persistence. It may not have come naturally for me but leading certainly has been a lifetime sport and an intriguing evolution.