Arlington, Texas, is a very special place. When I was mayor, we built a community where everyone had a seat at the table. Every voice contributed. And with a can-do, innovative spirit, we created something special that can be seen and felt throughout the larger community, even throughout all of Texas.
A leaders’ attitude is a key ingredient in the success of any project, organization or community. Any undertaking will have its ebbs and flows. Some days, months or years will be easy. Some won’t. A leader’s attitude during any of these periods can determine ultimate success. If a positive outlook and energy emanates from the top, anyone connected to the project finds it easier to remain optimistic.
Leaders need to spend their energy where they can affect the most change. With all the noise and all the demands, a leader must prioritize positive impact by making decisions with certainty and acting swiftly. Taking big, bold steps and moving with decisive action on those areas of highest impact can make changes that ripple throughout organizations and communities.
Leaders must make hard choices with how you spend your time. Prioritizing positive impact can help a leader manage their time. There are only ever 24 hours in a day. Recognize where you spend your time – what are you neglecting? Pick your initiatives, pick your priorities.
Belief in the outcome means pushing forward and bringing others alongside in that belief. If a positive outlook and energy flows from the top, anyone connected to the project finds it easier to remain optimistic.
Transparency is important to success. Sharing how you are going to accomplish the outcome is critical. Show your team and constituents how they are progressing. Show them how they each play a part toward reaching the end. Keep pointing them to the end, so that each day, each meeting, each action item is a clear step on a well-marked path toward success.
Your people are your best asset. Put people first. Remember the transformative impact of creating a sense of place where everyone feels like the belong. Build a place where every individual feels valued, empowered, and inspired to make a difference. Because ultimately, your people are going to be the reason you succeed.
Tourism is a vehicle for driving economic growth to improve city services and strengthen communities. OPM, or Other People’s Money, is a way to help communities realize their full potential by creating a terrific destination that attracts people and their dollars.
To turn a vision into an actionable plan you must include people in the process. The beautiful thing about bringing people together to build a plan is that they become ambassadors for your shared vision.
It is important for leaders to build unity because every person at every level needs to feel that they matter, that their work has meaning and that they play a part in the overall success of an organization.
Good leaders help create a sense of place — of connection. If people feel connected, they are more likely to take ownership of the organization. They will care for its well-being and help grow the characteristics of a healthy home.
