Description

This course consists of a one-hour interview with Dr. David Whiston, former president of the ADA and of the ADA Foundation, as conducted by Gene Wurth, Executive Director of the ADA Foundation. In this interview Dr. Whiston considers many aspects of leadership and how he managed those during his career, as well as suggestions for others about how to develop leadership skills.

Learning Objectives:

Identify the key characteristics of a leader
Understand the importance of communication skills
Appreciate the importance of a clear organizational mission
Identify the various dimensions of leadership and ways to modify decisions and actions to those dimensions
Adapt leadership skills to changing conditions
Understand the importance of developing a strong leader-staff relationship for the good of the organization

Abstract:

This course offers an overview of several key aspects of leadership, including the most important traits of a leader, how leadership is developed, key challenges that leaders face, how leaders get started, and more.

Outline:

The Concept of Leadership

Defining leadership
Why are some leaders effective?
Core characteristics of leaders
Leading vs. managing
Aspects of Leadership
1. Integrity
2. Vision
3. Communication skills – the ability to tell a story
4. Persistence
5. Identifying and developing talent
Adapting Leadership to Circumstances
1. Financial challenges
2. Volunteer issues
3. The size and nature of the organization
4. Defining success
Leadership and Mission
1. Importance of the mission
2. Ensuring that other leaders of the organization accept that mission
3. Ensuring that staff “buy in” to the mission
4. Getting volunteer acceptance of the mission
Leadership and Followership
1. How is that connection established
Dimensions of Leadership
1. Across the lateral dimension
2. In the vertical dimension
Getting Started on a Leadership Path
1. What attracts a potential leader
2. Seeking a position vs. being nominated
3. The role of mentoring
The Rewards and Disappointments of being a Leader

Course created: 2016
Course reviewed: 2022