Effective Leadership Strategies from Experienced CPRA Agency Members Being an effective leader comes with years of experience and moving up through the ranks. Sometimes, however, we’re put into leadership roles without having gone through the paces – this section is for you, new leader(s). This section is also for you experienced leaders, there’s always room for new ideas. We interviewed four seasoned CPRA agency members to learn strategies that have helped them be better leaders. We hope you find these tips to be helpful.
Sean VonRoenn | Executive Director, ERBM Recreation and Park District Leadership definitely feels like an ongoing journey of successes and set-backs as I continue to be schooled in the art of public service and teamwork by my amazing colleagues here locally and throughout our tremendous state-wide association. The best recent resource that we worked through together here at ERBM was the book “Extreme Ownership”, as we really can only control ourselves and our own attitude and effort. If leaders truly want to see better outcomes we have to start by doing the hard work of looking in the mirror and improving ourselves. Read books, go to trainings, develop as robust a professional network as possible, never stop learning! Top 5 tips I’ve learned through the years: 1. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate: The old sales adage of “tell them, tell them again, and tell them what you told them” certainly rings true for me. 2. Can’t win without talent: Get the best and brightest people on the team! There’s a reason that most sports championships go to the same small number of star studded teams year after year.
3. MBWA: Leadership with legs, get out of the office (I’m preaching to myself). Management By Walking Around is good, but Management By Working Alongside is better! This is definitely an area that I am inspired by my colleagues around the state to do more in my own space. I think about many personal stories from my counterparts; like Eric Lucas running a loader to help out in Windsor, or Tim Webber in Rangely leading the construction of a beautiful new pavilion at their Camper Park, or Alison Rhodes taking time out to help with seasonal planting on Pearl Street. Simple acts of service behind the scenes when no one’s watching, because in reality, everyone’s watching all the time! 4. Balance: “Put out fires fast enough so that nothing burns down, but not so fast that you burn out” is the mantra I try to live by. There’s always more work to be done, but we’re no good to anyone if we fail to maintain a margin for our own health, well-being and growth. 5. Core values: Uncompromising anchor points are absolutely paramount. Every leader who is moving the needle anywhere will have criticism, missteps, and be repeatedly tested through hard times. Holding on to the fundamental things like faith, integrity, service, etc. provides a firm foundation for both personal and professional stability.
8 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2021
