Reprinted from The Voice, Spring 2008
In this issue of The VOICE, we recapped our CURT National Conference, addressed several committee initiatives and explored emerging tools and changing paradigms that will propel our industry forward. What is often overlooked by the outside observer, however, is CURT's most valuable asset-its people. Great people. Committed people.
In his recent book, The Eighth Habit, From Effectiveness to Greatness, Steven Covey says, "Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs. This is the roadmap to success for individuals at any level of an organization. The goal is to maximize their fulfillment and influence and inspire any team and the broader organization to do the same." He goes on to define "voice" as that process of coming to understand your true nature and then manifesting, with intelligence, a personal vision, discipline and passion. By doing so, each of us can live a life that makes a difference and empowers change. Throughout history, people who have found their voice and who have discovered their purpose and passion, have always made the difference.
Each December our Board of Trustees re-evaluates our entire organization. We collaborate with our staff and our committee leadership to assure that each initiative is aligned with our mission and vision. As we went through this process last December, I took particular notices of the character traits of our leaders, our people with passion. The leadership team is comprised of our board, committee chairs, staff, task force chairpersons and effective alliance partners. I noticed that they all have different skill sets, but many common character traits. Let me share a few of the characteristics of CURT's "people of passion."
First, they maintain an open door management philosophy. The one common denominator each of our leaders share is a willingness to listen and stay available. They are industry aware; they know our organization's mission and vision; they crave feedback and have a leadership style that welcomes constructive and innovative suggestions.
Second, they are committed to being and staying mission driven. Without a doubt, the CURT leaders are mission driven. They can articulate where CURT is headed and know clearly their role in helping achieve its vision. The ticket to organizational success is a group of leaders who know the vision and can develop challenging but achievable objectives, then guide others to achieve them.
Third, they keep an eye on the future. Our leadership teams-board, committees and task forces-are remarkable at anticipating what lies ahead for the owner community and creating a variety of strategic ideas. They are sensitive to the potential for new programs, publications, training events and initiatives.
Fourth, the CURT leaders each excel at one unique purpose. Distinctiveness is important in our organization and our leaders have successfully identified a specific niche or subject area that has a potentially high return of value to owners and they become dedicated to filling it.
Finally they are committed to doing the right thing. Organizations that the industry admires most are sincere, enthusiastic and open to new and fresh ideas that can help improve the culture of the organization and the industry it represents.
Finally, CURT leaders know how to celebrate. Celebrations abound at excellent organizations, acknowledging the success and accomplishments of individuals, teams and the entire organization. When one succeeds we try to let the entire organization to know it. After all, our members need to know that the people who direct the work and the volunteers who help them are committed in spirit and not merely to performing a functional task.
As we celebrate our successes, let's always remember and recognize the people who make it happen. When you find solid evidence of committed, hard working, visionary people, you can be sure that working with that organization will be a good investment.
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