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Leader Letter
July 2008
“Practical Team-Based Ethics” by Linda Hatcher
In writing leadership articles for 10 years, it is easy to get the “been-there-written-that” mentality. In interviewing the subjects for the July Leader Guide Magazine, however, I was renewed in my belief that ethical, effective leadership is more than a feel-good philosophy. Ethics can and should be a constant foundation in practical leadership.
Proving this in the real world is a “benevolent dictator”- turned team-based-leader, Jim Barrier, CEO of Smelter Service Corporation, a nationally recognized aluminum recycler located in the mid-South. Barrier had a practical reason to change to leading through a team-based approach. “I was motivated by not wanting to do it all,” he admits. “I did not want to be totally tied to the business. I really have grown to understand that team-based leadership is the best approach for obtaining outstanding results. Now we are engaging all the brain power of our team members.” (CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE) I took an enhanced approach to writing about Barrier after our lengthy conversation on leadership. I asked his key leaders a set of the same questions. They answered independently of each other, and a holistic view of the daily reality of a well-run, ethical company emerged. It was one of my top five favorite writing assignments since I joined Leadership Education and Development, Inc. in 1998.
Says Smelter President Bill Toler, “In the team based leadership model, we have created a greater system of engagement by all employees and have built better operating systems that are not as dependent upon leaders to make all of the day to day decisions as before. In our team based direction, all employees have a clearer understanding as to the long range plan of the company and they have more of a voice in how we can move from where we are to where we want to be.” CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE One of the key leaders at Smelter is Tammy Willis, Communications Coordinator. Here are a few of her comments about the daily leadership reality at Smelter that should inspire us all to the same team-directed, ethical leadership that creates these positive conditions. “The leadership culture is very different than anywhere else. Our leaders strive to develop and set the example our employees need to become leaders at SSC and in their personal life,” Willis continues, “Leadership is to see a vision and lead your team in making the vision happen in a way that allows the team to become stronger and to learn from their leader. A leader will listen and encourage their team members in way that allows the employee to develop in their role.” Tammy adds that her CEO Jim Barrier (his Q & A appears in the July edition of Leader Guide Magazine - see link in paragraph above), is a wonderful leader. His style is positive and encouraging. He can see beyond today and the moment. He can see the light at the end of the tunnel and has away of encouraging employees to see that light. He listens and then takes the opportunity to lead his employees.”
LEADERSHIP QUOTES:
Defining Ethical Leadership: “Knowing what you believe to be right, knowing what is legally right, and following your beliefs is a necessary trait of leadership.–Frye Jonathan Frye, www.leadershipjot.com
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