The Best Leaders are Flexible

I first met Rich Derksen after competing in the District 53 Division D International Speech Contest. I saw him for a second time after competing in the District 53 International Speech Contest on May 21st, 2016. He is the incoming District Director for 2016 through 2017. He was such a genuinely great guy and fun to talk to that I wanted to meet up with him, so a few days ago we met up at a restaurant in Branford, CT to grab a bite to eat and chat further.

It’s our hopes that the following post will inspire you to reach for greater heights in your life as you continue on your journey.

Joining Toastmasters

“I first joined Toastmasters in 1997 while I was attending the University of Western Ontario,” Rich said. “And it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, if not the best decision I’ve ever made. Toastmasters gave me an edge in communication, leadership, and feedback, which really helped in interviewing, the workforce, and working on teams. It’s really effective in improving soft skills.”

“That’s awesome,” I said. “I didn’t officially join a Toastmasters club until after I graduated from college, but I started frequently visiting clubs when I was 19. Public speaking was my favorite class in college and my professor recommended that we join Toastmasters. After I graduated I went back and told him how much I loved Toastmasters and he said that I was literally the first student in all of his many years of teaching public speaking to take his advice on joining Toastmasters.”

Join a local organization of some sort, whether it be Toastmasters, Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, etc. It’s a great way to get involved, make new friends, and build your skills.

The Importance and Power of Flexible Leadership

Rich is going to be leading the entire District, so I wanted to pick his mind on his thoughts on leadership.

“Setting expectations upfront are key,” Rich said. “Make clear the results that are needed, establishing the right parameters to work in. And ask the person you are leading:

Are you facing any challenges I can help with? Can I provide feedback about how you can get around particular obstacles?

“Leaders establish those expectations, but they also help to get the job done. It’s not about delegating and then never thinking about it again. Some people delegate,” Rich continued, “but they never check in.”

This fantastic insight from Rich. He’s all about giving people the space to do their job, but you also need to check in and see how they are doing. Leaders who don’t genuinely care about how others are doing aren’t really leaders.

“Figure out what type of person you are interacting with and adapt accordingly,” Rich said. “Is it someone who won’t reach out at all? Or is it someone who is always bouncing things back to you without providing actionable insight? What I say to people who always raise issues is: great job to raise this concern, but please think of three possible solutions before bringing issues to me in the future. This gets them thinking in terms of results and solutions.

“Taking time to interact with people is also important for leaders to do. Not everyone is going to be vocal, so that’s where the leader needs to take the initiative. Do they have a family? What are their hobbies? Understand the person at an individual and human level.”

This is Mountaintop-level content from Rich. It’s absolutely the responsibility of each individual person to approach the leader, but the best leaders are the ones who take initiative and also reach out to the people around them. Leadership is about community and building meaningful connections.

“Have you ever heard of a hammer manager?” Rich asked.

“I think I know what you’re getting at,” I said, laughing. “Couldn’t agree with you more.”

“These are managers who have one type of management and leadership style for everybody,” Rich said. “On the other end of the spectrum the best leaders are flexible, using different approaches depending on the type of person being coached. Make it easier on people and don’t throw red tape on them. There are wrong people out there managing for the wrong reasons, and this needs to be avoided. People have different kinds of expertise, so it’s important that the right people are put into managerial positions.”

I love how Rich is about being flexible – every person is different. Instead of throwing up red tape, empower others to make decisions for themselves.

I’m going to restate what Rich said here because it’s so incredibly important:

The best leaders are flexible.

They are clear on the result, but flexible on their approach. Hammer managers are not only outdated, but they are downright ineffective. Avoid being a hammer manager at all costs!

“Toastmasters is a volunteer organization,” Rich said. “Without money acting as a driver, it really tests your ability to motivate people to get the job done.”

Rich emphasizes focusing on the intangibles: relationships, friendships, and soft skills development. Remember, you can be a leader regardless of your position or title.

Build the Bridge Now

“One of my all-time favorite authors is Harvey Mackay,” Rich said. “His books Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive and Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty are both incredible. My big suggestion is to build those skills and grow that side business while you’re working. Too many people wait until they have no job, or are dealt some sort of unexpected financial blow, before they create additional opportunities. Build the bridge now, not later.”

What Rich is saying here is that if you wait until an unexpected loss occurs to improve yourself, you are behind the 8-ball. Get out in front of change by building those skills and opportunities before any kind of setback occurs. That way you always have other options and possibilities if something happens to your job for reasons beyond your control.

It’s never too late to make a change, but having years of personal development and expertise under your belt is light years different than suddenly being laid off and starting from scratch. Take Rich’s sage advice and build the bridge now. Put yourself out there. Network. Develop your passions. The long-term benefit is incredible.

What Is It For You?

What one thing can you take from this post and apply in your daily life? How can you get started today, or in the near future? It’s important to not only feel motivated, but to also take action on those ideas. Whether it means becoming more involved in your community, being a better leader, or growing your side business, the opportunity is there for you to take your life to the next level.

Be like the incoming District 53 Director Rich Derksen and act with poise. Leverage your strengths: if you have good energy, focus on that. Be a leader in your home, community, and organization. Identify your values and unique strengths and then make a side career out of them. You’ll not only feel great about yourself, but you’ll make a positive impact on this planet. You are a flexible leader.

See you at The Mountaintop.