To the editor:
Leadership training is not going to fix the toxic work environment in Leelanau County Government by itself.
Leadership training can provide useful tools in developing a leader, but a lot more ingredients go into the formula to produce effective leaders. First, leadership is a gift-some have it, others need to develop the skills.
In my nearly 30 years of military service, leadership was a continuous improvement journey. Different situations required different skills. First, a leader must understand oneself: personality, skills, and experience. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator exercise is a good place to start as it reveals how an individual thinks and interacts with others. It’s often said experience is the best teacher. I had great mentors who were successful leaders. Conversely, others taught me how not to lead.
A leader must know the workforce. A mentor once told me “A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world.” A leader needs to be visible within the workplace, understand the mission and listen to employees when they have a problem or a good idea. The best way to solve a problem is letting the employees with the problem be a part in developing a solution. Lastly, a continuous improvement program will help create efficiency and promote employee buy-in for change. Commissioners: Don’t stop with training, use all the tools available to you to develop effective leadership and make Leelanau County a great place to work!
Jim Hale Suttons Bay
