GONETOOSOON

DearFellowToastmastersofDistrict116,

District 116 was always at the helm of highest quality and ranking for many years. It was fortunate to begin the new term 2022-2023 with the best of the best leaders who are designated to serve our members and clubs. From day one, theverve,vibrancyandvigourwasevidentinthe Council members, starting from Club Officers to AreaDirectorstoDivisionDirectorstotheDistrict Cabinet, to strive and once again reclaim the NumberOnePositionintheWorld.

Theteamdynamicsandcamaraderieareworth mentioningworkingtowardsmakingtheClubs, Areas and Divisions nothing less than President’s Distinguished and for District, one stepaheadtobeSmedleyDistinguished.

Everything appeared in order until the mournful news of Neshi Kumar, a towering personality among Toastmasters leaders who was known for his in-depth knowledge of processes and protocols He was ailing from a dreadful disease and hospitalized from few months. Every Toastmaster did pray and wish for his recovery but the destiny was different and we lost him!!! Irreparable, irreversible and irreplaceable loss for the entire Toastmasters fraternityofQatar

It was overwhelming to see our members comingforwardinsupportofhisfamily,paying tribute,beingwithwifeandkidsatthisdifficult time, until everyone departed Qatar. Not just for Toastmasters activities, but even when it comes to personal needs, we the members of District 116 shows that camaraderie and stand together.

As said by George Eliot; Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them ‘Unquote’. Neshi Kumar lives in the hearts of everyone who has met and worked with him He has left a legacy for us to follow and continue from where he stopped. As responsible leaders and members of Toastmasters District 116, let each one of us pledge to do our best and take our District to thetoponceagain

PRTRAININGSERIES-3 PRTRAININGSERIES-3

DISTINGUISHED RECOGNITION DISTINGUISHED RECOGNITION DISTINGUISHED RECOGNITION

OCT2022-MAR2023

Leadership–Simplified!

Out of dozens of marvels of a leadership the focus here is on the assertion by Dwight Eisenhower, “Leadershipistheartofgettingsomeoneelsetodo something you want done because he wants to do it”. In other words, Leadership is the process of optimizingperformanceofothers.

One of the most critical tasks leaders are expectedtodoistocreateleadersbelowthem and that is by delegation and empowerment. The art and science of delegation and empowerment is a fine balance that leaders mustmastertoleadtheirteamforperforminga task. It is imperative for leaders to keep on taking complex roles for themselves and pass onthebatonofmanageabletaskstotheirteam who in turn of doing those tasks, learn and growandcontributetotheleadership.Theshift from doing to getting done is corner-stone of leadership When the senior leaders of an organization can’t or won’t delegate and empower,theculturesuffers.

The major obligation of a leader is to believe thatuseofdelegationandempowermentisnot If, but a Must Honesty of this belief lies in application of delegation and empowerment. Onceacrystal-clearviewofthesetwoeffective tools is developed in a leader, the Genie is ready to unleash a new dimension of motivation and performance. The next task leadersfaceistoknowwhy,whenandwhomto delegateandempower.Letusfirstunderstand some details of the two instruments of leadershipbelow

DelineatingDelegation

Delegation is a process of entrusting and assigningworkbyleaderstotheirteamtocarry out a specific task with clear input, direction andoutput.Itismoreaboutdecidingwhatnot todo,ratherthanwhattodo.

Since there is no thumb rule of delegation, leadersneedtoperceivetheupsanddownsof delegation by taking into account their own circumstances. Leaders ought to know what objectivetheywanttoachieveandaccordingly they should apply it. It is crucial for leaders to know the basic principles of delegation, which is:Delegationprovidestimeandabilitytofocus on higher-level tasks, develops trust between workers and improves communication. It enhances productivity and efficiency of delegator,developscompetenceandimproves motivationandmoraleofteam.Delegationalso provides opportunity for professional training and growth Some of the risks involved in delegation are: chances of inferior results, possible miscommunication conflicts, losing control,andthreatenedpositionetc Empowermentexplained.

Empowerment is a multi-dimensional process of giving authority or power to someone to do something. It fosters confidence and enables them to use their resources and recognize potentials. The main ingredients of empowerment are autonomy and accountability

Empowerment provides additional bandwidth, enablingfollowerstomakedecisionsthatwere once reserved for leaders. Empowerment acts as a confidence booster, and it is sustainable and productive in the long run Empowering allowsthemtotaketasks,andmakethemtheir own, by using their particular style being accountableforeverythingtheydo

Discerning the difference between DelegationandEmpowerment.

The key difference between delegation and empowerment is that of accountability. Delegation raises followers and empowerment raisesleaders.Bothofthesetoolsrequirebasic principles such as clarified expectations, communication, coaching and training, feedback and trust They are most effective whenusedspecificallyforaparticularsituation and verily dependent on the attitude that the leaders and organization decide to use it for Each approach requires a different mentality and purpose. However, no matter what approach has been adopted, the leader is still in control. An empowered team is more likely toworkefficientlyandfollowerswillbewilling to go the extra mile as task becomes more personaltothem.

Delegationandempowermentillustratedview.

Insteadofgoingintothemazeofdefinitionslet us understand it in simple illustration

Delegation is to tell a person, to buy the plant from specific nursery, dig deep pit, place the plantgentlyinpit,fillthepitwithsoilgentlybut firmly, and irrigate regularly. On the other hand, the empowerment is to simply ask the person to plant a tree and take care of its growth.

Hence empowerment is not to describe the peoplehowtodothingsbuttotellthemwhat to do and they will surprise back with their ingenuity.

Delegations and empowerment are twins however not the identical. Empowerment is smarter kid and has an edge over its sibling delegation.Theyarenotoppositesbutarethe two ends of a continuum. The two tools have their own pluses and minuses and before leaders go ahead to use their powerful tools it isessentialtoknowitsupsanddowns.

A rough strategy for leaders, when to delegateandwhentoempower

An ideal situation for delegation would be a periodofcrisis,abusyworkperiodandatight deadline etc. Critical moments require an authoritative decision-maker and the leaders shouldmakeafinalcall.Aleadermustbeable topicktherightperson Itisaboutwhocando it, who needs to develop these skills, who has capacity,whohasshowninterest,whoisready for a challenge and who would see it as a reward?

Why the Genie of Delegation and Empowerment needs to be released out of bottle.

With the unprecedented revolution in various walks of life and upcoming applications of Artificial Intelligence and other technologies there is greater obligation for the leaders to adopt to the parallel speed to keep pace with trending vogue. The leaders need to change theirmindset,andbehaviorstowardsupskilling their team by providing tangible leadership experience. Leaders have to make sure that team members have enough opportunity to learn and grow. Leaders also must be confident when to step in, step back, cheerlead, coach, adjust expectations, make themselves available, and celebrate successes. –“TheEnd”