GC is implementing some of the Total-Quality Philosophy as outlined by David Goestch and Stanley Davis in the "Total-Quality Handbook," to help establish and improve upon the leadership skills of our members. I will be publishing several articles such as this periodically here on the website and these ideas will also be discussed in detail at our weekly founders meeting.

LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS

What leaders do, what they believe and value, what  they reward and whom, are watched, seen, minutely interpreted throughout the whole organization.  And nothing is noticed more quickly --- and considered more significant --- than a discrepancy between what leaders preach and what they expect their members to practice.  The Japanese recognize that there are really only two demands of leadership.  One is to accept that rank does not confer privileges: it entails responsibilities.  The other is to acknowledge that leaders in an organization need to impose on themselves that congruence between deeds and words, between behavior and professed beliefs and values, that we call personal integrity.

LEADERSHIP AND CHANGE

In a competitive and rapidly changing environment, clans are constantly involved in the development of strategies for keeping up, staying ahead, and/or setting new directions.  What can leaders do to play a positive role in the process?

• Have a clear vision and corresponding goals.
• Exhibit a strong sense of responsibility.
• Be an effective communicator.
• Have a high energy level.
• Have the will to change.

With any group of people, there will be periods of stress and change.  These characteristics of good leaders apply to any member at any level who must help his or her community deal with the uncertainty caused by change.  In an ever changing world, change may be the only constant.  Is there anything you can do about it?  Of course there is.  You can make change happen, let it happen to you, or you can stand by while it goes on around you.

You can divide people into three categories, based on how they handle change: drivers, riders, and spoilers.

• DRIVERS - People who lead ther community in new directios as a response to change.
• RIDERS - People who just go along reacting to change as it happens rather than getting in front of it.
• SPOILERS - People who actively resist change.

Which one are you?