Leadership Lessons from Community Event

This article was written by Shadab Saiyed, Universal Credit Dispute Resolution Service Team Leader from the Department for Work and Pensions

It was an amazing day at Sutton Park recently where Birmingham (UK) leaders from the Department for Work and Pensions volunteered to positively contribute to the community. The ask was to preserve the habitat in the park which included clearing up pathways in the area. In terms of meeting (and exceeding) aspirations, it was a resounding success. However, as leaders we could not help but derive some important learning from our experience!

So, here are some Leadership Lessons from the Community Event:

###LEARNING FROM MISTAKES

Although we are meticulous, unfortunately us leaders are not infallible; we do make mistakes. But great leaders know that the mistake wasn’t intentional, they put their hand up and learn from it. After some of us dared to venture the park without Wellies last time and had their footwear clogged with water, we all turned up in the correct footwear this time! So puddles were not a barrier in our way anymore!

As Nelson Mandela has said: The greatest glory lies not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.

###COLLABORATION IS KEY

Sometimes leaders forget that they are vulnerable and need support too, which prevents them from asking for help. However, our high emotional intelligence enabled us to read the situation and respond to challenges calmly. Thus, playing a part in each other’s success. On the day we successfully collaborated with other volunteers to work together towards a common goal.

When pulling those huge branches across the field, not only did we help each other but also other teams because our focus was our vision which cannot be achieved without our people. According to ‘Essentials of Organisational Behaviours’, in collectivism, individuals in a group look after each other and protect each other. Yes, we are very much by the book!

###IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE FUN AT WORK

‘Tonic dopamine levels may be increased by engaging in physical activity and exercise…so it is less effortful to motivate yourself to complete a task…indicates the article in BBC Science Focus magazine but we didn’t need research to tell us that!

A fast bowler allegedly said: When I used to wake up in the morning and wished it rained to stop play, I knew I was ready to retire. This cricketer was not having fun at work anymore. It was a chore for him, it ceased to be his passion and must have affected his performance. He decided to quit playing and start commentating.

We do not expect colleagues to hop into the office with springs in their steps every morning but a bit of fun at work goes a long way to boost motivation, wellbeing and retention.

###WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY

Motivational speaker Shiv Khera has alluded that pessimists have a problem for every solution. Conversely, optimists have a solution for every problem. The weather, the challenge, the busy week, nothing got into our way when we were asked to deliver. We are proud to have cleared the obstacles and paved a way for those who believe in walking the walk!

Hope you find these observations inspiring 😊

"Whatever you think you can, or think you can't, you are right." -Henry Ford