A Note from Ujima Donalson,
POD Director
Even if you’re not in school or your particular job isn’t affected by the vagaries of the academic calendar, there’s just something about summertime. From the array of fresh fruit at the market to the golden sunshine well into the evening hours, the world presents its abundance to us. I find myself feeling a touch of that “school’s out for summer” joy and an extra burst of appreciation for life.
Maybe you’ve found yourself taking more walks, lingering after your al fresco dinner on the back patio, or engaging in a long conversation with a neighbor while watering your plants after work. Meanwhile, the work of a manager never takes a vacation—but you can bring some summertime habits into your work life.
Why not bring more summer into your workday by holding a staff meeting outside or taking a walking one-on-one with a willing employee? Being outside stimulates the senses, inspires a fresh perspective, and simultaneously relaxes us. As consultant Denise DeLuca explores in this issue’s feature article, leaders have a lot to learn from nature. Although that concept may seem far-fetched, the sciences have long looked to nature for innovative solutions.
Another way to bring summer into your work is with your extracurricular reading. Whether your usual beach-book fare is a fluffy novel or quick-paced thriller, I’d encourage you to consider the recommendations in Leadership by the Book. Although you won’t find any whirlwind romances or transcontinental intrigue among these books, you will find engaging reads that wouldn’t be too taxing for a day at the beach.
As I sit down to sip my iced tea, I’m sure to be eagerly devouring Crucial Accountability: Tools for Resolving Violated Expectations, Broken Commitments, and Bad Behavior. This book is from Kerry Patterson and the other folks who brought us the bestseller Crucial Conversations back in 2002. I’m excited to read Crucial Accountability because it’s become clear to me in my work that leaders who don’t hold themselves and others accountable damage their credibility and integrity. I’ll be anxious to tell you more about this in our fall issue of the Leading Edge. In the meantime, I hope you make the most of what’s left of our beautiful, bountiful summer!
