The Motivator 1 | Page 6

Page 6 – THE MOTIVATOR – October 2017

Leadership is Listening

Leadership has many qualities. But the ability to listen tops them off. Many leaders today are not Great Leaders, because they do not listen. There are two groups you must truly listen to as a leader. Firstly there is the group that you wish to lead.

For the primary simple reason that you need to hear where they wish to go. The is of maximum importance, whether it is a group of friends, sports team, or company. You have got to listen to the lifeblood of the organization. They express their their goals and desires, and these must be addressed. We may all be going to the Caribbean, but not all for the same reasons. Some to relocate permanently, some to experience the Caribbean, and some just for a vacation. Listening to these goals will aid you in future decisions making. What vehicle to take. Whether to go by plane or cruise-liner? Whether to take the scenic route or go Express. Or to

Sheldon Scipio, Columnist Trinidad and Tobago

make it in phases. You have to keep in mind that for some it is about the journey, for others it is the destination. Listening is important because that is where you gain the information to make necessary decisions, to lay down the course for the journey. As Leader you are serving many, and you need to chart a course where all feel appreciated, and heard.

You need to make the people you are leading feel important. Egos are real, and you as a Leader have to manage those many egos. This is where listening to those egos becomes important. The many egos wish to be considered, be heard, truly heard. Only a great listener can achieve this. With active listening The small things when speaking to them will matter. Things like eye-contact, taking physical notes, and small answers acknowledging what was said without interrupting, and then giving feedback. These egos may be mini leaders of small cliques with your organization. This is an opportunity. Not a setback or concern. If you get these egos on your side. You can actually to many concerns through these few people. Listening to them allows you to hear hundreds simplified, broken down. They also allows you to lead through others, subliminally delegating. By satisfying this one voice, you may satisfy many. Listen carefully to what is being said, listen carefully to what is not said. Your mastery of the Art of Listening is going to give you the tools to get your ship to the promised land.

The next group you need to listen to are the Customers. This group speak a lot, with both praise and criticism. Most listen to the praises, but voice of the critic, or and displeased customers, will provide the greatest growth for you and the organization. These are the people that decide whether or not you are profitable, they decide whether the stocks go up or down. They speak loudly through social media, etc. They are also important, since your product is meant to bring happiness to them. Without them, you basically have nothing. There is an art also to listening to them. You need to engage them, reply to their concerns on Social Media etc. Here you get a chance to score positive points if you can solve their issues publicly. If you take the time to really listen to them, you can actually find the major issues with your product or service. Listening is the key to keeping and attracting customers.

Allowing you to turn even negative situations and people to advocates, making everything a positive experience, and leading from the middle. This style of Leadership is positive, and makes you approachable and loved. Everyone believe they are heard, their concerns are going addressed, and their contributions are valued. The stops on the journey may not be all theirs, but there are stops, fantastic views and experiences along this wonderful journey for all.

Active Listening = Great Leadership! ~ Sheldon Scipio

To advertise in The Motivator Magazine Please contact one of our sales executives at phoenixinstitute @ gmail. com

CHRISTINE KING – Continued from page 4

the world one child and one community at a time. Her love and commitment for the organization over the years has made her name and face synonymous with Kiwanis in The Bahamas. A champion for the wellbeing of children she was at the forefront of many projects; providing computers for schools, painting pedestrian crossings, erecting road safety signs at school zones, and being the Kiwanis voice for child protection awareness in the Bahamas. Community service, giving and uplifting others are more than talents of hers; it is her passion and the very essence of her existence.

In approximately three years after joining, Christine had served her club as chairperson, director and elected Vice President. Christine pledged yet again her continued, unwavering commitment to touching and improving the lives of as many as she could reach during her term as President 2007-2008. When the club history is written Christine will definitely be among the best of the best. Administrative and Service goals; all effortlessly accomplished. A downhome island girl, always remaining true to her roots, she focused on her homeland Cat Island and executed major community projects on that remote island. She led a team to paint pedestrian crossing at schools, erected drive safety zone signs, donated computers and books to local primary schools as well as to the only children’ s home there. HIV / AIDS being the district’ s focus during the term she was very supportive and led initiatives to assist children affected and infected by the deadly disease. Birthdays are a time to receive but Christine instead wanted to give and hosted the first“ Party for A Purpose” event on her birthday as president to raise funds for HIV / AIDS. All proceeds were donated to the cause. Under the leadership of then District Governor Chuck McIlravey, Christine joined Division 22 efforts to champion for the District’ s cause of funding HIV / AIDS program for countries considered epidemic. It was the experience which fortified her efforts to the organization.

In 2011, Christine Club’ s board put forth her name for the leadership of the Division and she was elected Lieutenant Governor Elect to serve the 2013-2014 administration. As Lieutenant Governor, Christine King’ s passion for service took her beyond the scope of New Providence. Again, it took her back to her home town, Cat Island where she was raised, to give back to the children in the northern settlements; Dumfries and Orange Creek. She was instrumental in the funding and organization of the construction of two playgrounds. Coupled with Kiwanis fundraisers and donations, over $ 10,000 was raised towards the goal and so the project began. Again, In her true spirit of giving Christine also hosted for her birthday a themed event, this time“ A Party for a Park,” to raise monies to assist with financing the project. If that was not amazing enough, what was even more profound was the fact that when it was apparent that the project was underfunded and may not be completed, Christine personally took out a bank loan to make the promised dream come true for the children.

Located just behind the Dumfries and Orange Creek Primary Schools are the playgrounds, each constructed with all native cedar wood. These playgrounds are not the ordinary metal or treated wood material you will find in the city but rather one matching the ambiance and simplicity of the island living, environmentally friendly and will withstand the salt air for years to come.“ Da Com Up Group” along with the male students of the 2014 graduating class of Arthur’ s Town High School undertook the construction and all persons who worked to see this project become a reality stood proud on September 14th, 2014 as the playgrounds were officially turned over to the principals. Principal Olivia King says” A special thank you again to LG Christine for making one of our dreams a reality. We at the Orange Creek Primary School look forward to continued partnership with you and the Kiwanis Clubs of The Bahamas. May God continue to bless you and all of your endeavors” Members of the community joined praising Kiwanians for the gift of play for their children PTA president of the school Mandy Major wrote,“ Ms. King. I heard it was great. Thank you so much. I’ m proud of you and every Cat Islander is too. God Bless you. Keep up the good work. What you just did was more than enough. I must keep people like you in my prayers. Cat Island needs help.”

Christine’ s life journey is a genuine reflection of the Kiwanis motto;“ Serving the children of the world.”

Christine has made her mark not only in The Bahamas but throughout the entire Kiwanis organization. She has achieved many Kiwanis accolades including Kiwanian of the Year( twice), Distinguished President, and Distinguished Lieutenant Governor of Excellence award along with a Mel Osborne Fellow Award for her exemplary and outstanding service. She has held various positions in her club as well as the Eastern Canada and Caribbean District. She currently serves as The Impact Service Chairperson as well as Club Counselor for five clubs in her division and PR chair for her club. This coming administration Christine will serve as her club Treasurer and this will literally means that Christine would have served every position in

( Continued on page 7)