by Mary Ellen Clark

Great leadership starts with a person who is passionate about her mission to serve others and who creates a positive work environment in which her team can thrive. She leads by example, with her own values and morals in alignment with the mission of the organization. She also inspires her team to share their strengths and creative ideas, and she encourages their personal and professional growth.

A great leader values the people in the organization, delivering praise and recognition, when appropriate, and challenges its team members to rise up to their full potential if productivity declines.

A great leader has the innate ability to put right-minded people on the bus, sharing the mission and vision of the company, while effectively communicating each person’s role so that everyone feels valued and important to the team.

A great leader is respected, and is action-oriented with a realistic plan and belief that small tasks done well and consistently create bigger wins and accomplishments.

When working with a great leader, one feels important to the team, valued for her knowledge and capabilities, supported, mentored, informed, challenged and heard.

A great leader is open minded to ideas, and willing to change direction when a shift will help the organization. She keeps her door open, encourages ideas and feedback, and is an excellent listener.

A great Leader surrounds herself with a loyal support staff and welcomes the help of other great leaders, all in the selfless interest of the success of her team, her teammates, and her organization. She is responsible, takes ownership, and has great pride in her team.

She may be very charismatic or may be low-key in her delivery of information and requests, but she absolutely has integrity, is honest, and has a positive mindset.

She is a hard worker and tries to lead a balanced life, taking care of her health and wellbeing, while being present and available to her family and friends, whom she loves and supports.

A great leader can create a professional, yet family-like atmosphere and work environment that inspires, empowers, and shines the light on others, making everyone feel valued and successful.

Some say great leaders are born, while others step into the role based on life experiences. Either way, their character precedes them and their actions, and human kindness dictates how effective they are to creating success with the organization.

I challenge all of you to continue great leadership in your field of work so that we can all make a positive impact on peoples’ lives, communities, organizations and the world. Since we are all here to serve others, we might as well do it with class, integrity and greatness!

 

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Mary Ellen Clark, Olympian, Coach, Motivator

Mary Ellen Clark is a sought after motivational speaker for business and other conferences and is also a highly successful diving coach.

Mary Ellen is one of America’s greatest divers, a seven time National Champion. She won medals for the U.S. at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.

I first got to know Mary Ellen as a board member of the Women’s Sports Foundation, and have been an ardent admirer of her since, especially for her being such an inspiring role model for women and girls, as well as for men and boys, on the benefits of physical activity and competitive sports. It is her passion to help people be their best selves.

Mary Ellen’s knowledge and enthusiasm also influences many in their business careers through her positive, can-do attitude and glowing belief in dedication and teamwork.

Oh, and the timing of Mary Ellen being our guest leader is perfect. Her birthday is next week, Christmas Day!