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Dear G.R.O.W. Community,
Yesterday, our nation paused to honor the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. As we reflect on their sacrifice and dedication, I'm struck by how perfectly this ties into our theme of leadership this week. Our veterans embody the highest principles of leadership – sacrifice, dedication, and the commitment to serve something greater than themselves.
Speaking of passing on the torch, I'm excited to share insights with you this week about leadership and mentorship through the lens of my 36-year career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The journey from federal government service to founding A Few Good MENtors has taught me invaluable lessons about how leadership skills evolve and adapt across different phases of life. My experiences investigating complex cases, leading teams, and building trust in diverse communities have shaped my approach to mentorship. These lessons – from strategic thinking to empathetic listening – demonstrate how leadership principles transcend career boundaries and create lasting impact in our mentoring relationships.
In this edition, we're diving deep into servant leadership—a concept that aligns beautifully with our mentorship mission and the selfless service demonstrated by our veterans. We'll explore how this powerful leadership approach can transform our mentoring relationships and our entire community.
Remember, as members of the G.R.O.W. community, we're not just building better mentors – we're cultivating the leaders of tomorrow. Whether you're a mentor, mentee, or supporter, you play a crucial role in this mission. The skills we discuss, the stories we share, and the challenges we tackle all contribute to a stronger, more connected community.
So, as we honor our veterans and explore leadership this week, I encourage you to think about your leadership journey. How has mentorship shaped your path? What leadership lessons have you learned, and more importantly, what wisdom are you passing on to others?
Let's grow together and remember Guidance Redefines Our Way (G.R.O.W.)!
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GROWTH GATEWAY
The Heart of Servant Leadership
"True leadership must be for the benefit of the followers, not to enrich the leader." - John C. Maxwell
Servant leadership transforms the traditional leadership pyramid. Instead of standing at the top directing others, servant leaders position themselves at the foundation, supporting and elevating those around them. This approach creates stronger mentors, more confident mentees, and thriving communities.
Core Principles of Servant Leadership
The essence of servant leadership rests on five fundamental principles:
Listen First, Speak Second
Focus on understanding before being understood
Create space for others to share ideas and concerns
Practice active listening in every interaction
Empower Others to Grow
Identify and nurture potential in others
Provide opportunities for skill development
Celebrate others' successes as they progress
Build Community
Foster connections between team members
Create environments where trust flourishes
Encourage collaboration over competition
Think Long-Term
Focus on sustainable growth over quick wins
Consider the impact of decisions on the entire organization
Invest in people's development for lasting change
Lead with Integrity
Maintain consistency between words and actions
Take responsibility for outcomes
Make decisions based on ethical principles
Servant Leadership in Mentorship
Servant leadership naturally aligns with effective mentorship. When mentors embrace this approach, they:
Focus on mentees' goals rather than their agenda
Create safe spaces for experimentation and learning
Share knowledge openly without expectation of a return
Support mentees in developing their unique leadership style
Practical Applications
Transform these principles into action through:
Daily Practices:
Begin meetings by asking, "How can I help?"
Schedule regular check-ins focused solely on others' needs
Share credit for successes with team members
Offer specific, growth-oriented feedback
Leadership Moments:
Step back to let others lead key projects
Provide resources and remove obstacles
Create learning opportunities from challenges
Recognize and promote others' contributions
Building Trust Through Service
Trust forms the foundation of effective leadership. Servant leaders build trust by:
Demonstrating Reliability
Following through on commitments
Being consistent in actions and decisions
Showing up when needed
Showing Vulnerability
Admitting mistakes
Sharing lessons learned
Being open about challenges
Prioritizing Others' Growth
Investing time in development
Providing honest feedback
Supporting career advancement
Creating Safety
Protecting team members
Standing up for others
Maintaining confidentiality
The Impact
Organizations led by servant leaders typically experience:
Higher employee engagement
Stronger team collaboration
Improved problem-solving
Better retention rates
More innovative solutions
Moving Forward
Start your servant leadership journey with these steps:
Assess your current leadership style
Identify one area for improvement
Ask your team what support they need
Create an action plan for implementation
Measure progress through feedback
Remember, servant leadership isn't about being perfect. It's about consistently putting others first and learning from each interaction. As you embrace these principles, you'll discover that true leadership strength comes from empowering others to reach their full potential.
Weekly Action Items:
Schedule three "listening sessions" with your team or mentees
Identify one opportunity to step back and let others lead
Document and share a success story about someone you're mentoring
Ask for feedback on your leadership approach
"The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant." - Max DePree
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BRIDGE BUILDERS
Industry Insights on Leadership Development
"Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It's about one life influencing another." - John C. Maxwell
The manufacturing industry provides compelling examples of building tomorrow's leaders through structured mentorship. A recent Manufacturing Drive article by Sakshi Udavant highlights how significant manufacturers are transforming workforce development through innovative mentorship programs. Their approaches offer valuable insights for our leadership development initiatives.
The Leadership Challenge
The manufacturing industry faces a critical challenge - a projected worker shortfall of 2 million people. Leading companies are responding through comprehensive mentorship programs that build talent pipelines, prepare existing workers for leadership roles, and create inclusive environments.
Industry Leaders Setting the Standard
Fastenal: Building From the Ground Up Fastenal, a $7 billion industrial supply company founded in 1967, operates over 3,200 locations worldwide and employs more than 20,000 people. Their innovative Manufacturing Sponsorship Program, launched in 2005 in Minnesota, demonstrates how structured mentorship creates lasting impact:
Partners with Minnesota State College Southeast
Combines full-time education with hands-on work experience
Guarantees positions for successful graduates maintaining a 3.0 GPA
Provides complete tuition reimbursement over two years
Achieves an 80% retention rate among program participants
Creates clear pathways from entry level to management positions
TE Connectivity: Fostering Global Leadership TE Connectivity, a $16.3 billion global technology leader in connectivity and sensor solutions, employs 85,000 people across 28 countries. Their comprehensive approach to mentorship includes:
Eight employee resource groups engaging over 9,000 members
Targeted programs for women, LGBTQ+ workers, veterans, and diverse communities
Executive mentorship program for aspiring senior leaders
Global online mentorship platform "Navigate"
20% promotion rate among program participants
Proven success in developing inclusive leadership pipelines
Program Impact Metrics:
Women's leadership program: 20% promotion rate
Succession planning: 20% increase in diverse candidates
The second cohort already shows 10% promotion rate
Demonstrated success in cross-cultural mentorship
Small Scale Success: Jamestown Plastics
Even smaller manufacturers are making significant impacts. New York-based Jamestown Plastics partnered with Chautauqua Lake Central School to create:
Manufacturing education program reaching 500+ students
60 college credit hours opportunity
State-of-the-art technology training
Direct pathway to employment
Critical Lessons for Our Community
These industry examples reinforce essential principles:
Early Engagement
Start leadership development early
Create clear pathways to advancement
Combine education with practical experience
Structured Programs
Set measurable goals
Track progress systematically
Provide clear incentives
Inclusive Leadership
Embrace diverse perspectives
Create targeted development opportunities
Build supportive networks
Technology Integration
Use digital platforms to connect mentors and mentees
Enable broader access to leadership resources
Track and measure program success
Moving Forward
These industry insights inspire several action items:
Explore educational partnerships in our community
Implement structured mentorship tracking
Develop technology-enabled connections
Create targeted leadership development paths
Take Action Today: Join our Bridge Builders initiative by:
Mentoring an aspiring leader
Sharing your industry expertise
Supporting our youth programs
Participating in leadership workshops
Contact us at [email protected] to learn more about how you can contribute to building tomorrow's leaders.
"The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership." - Harvey S. Firestone
Our main sponsor, A Few Good MENtors, Inc., is lighting the way for the next generation, providing the mentorship and guidance young people need to confidently navigate their paths to success.
INSIGHT EXCHANGE
Building a Legacy Through Mentorship
A Message from Michael R. Morgan, President/Founder
"Leadership is not measured by how many people serve you. It's measured by how many people you serve."
Success Without Succession is Failure
During my 36 years with the FBI, I witnessed countless talented leaders who excelled in their roles but struggled with transition. They were exceptional runners but poor baton-passers. True success isn't measured by what we achieve alone but by what continues after we step away.
Consider this: Every skill you've mastered, every lesson you've learned, and every insight you've gained is like a precious resource. You can hoard these resources until they expire with you or invest them in others, allowing them to multiply and grow beyond your time.
Why Succession Matters
Knowledge Transfer: Your experiences are invaluable teaching tools. Without sharing them, decades of wisdom vanish overnight.
Mission Continuity: Organizations falter when leadership transitions happen without preparation.
Growth Multiplication: Each person you mentor can potentially impact hundreds more.
Preparing Others to Exceed Us
The actual test of leadership isn't in maintaining control but in preparing others to go further than we did. This requires:
Intentional knowledge sharing
Creating opportunities for growth
Stepping back to let others lead
Celebrating when they surpass us
The Marathon Relay Principle
Leadership succession is like a relay race – individual speed matters, but smooth baton passes are crucial. You might be the fastest runner on your leg, but the entire team fails if you can't transfer the baton effectively.
The Critical Handoff
Picture a relay race:
The first runner sprints with everything they have
As they approach the handoff zone, they must:
Maintain their speed
Position the baton correctly
Trust their teammate's readiness
Let go at the right moment
The next runner must:
Begin moving before receiving the baton
Reach back with confidence
Grasp firmly without looking back
Accelerate into their leg of the race
Application in Leadership
This metaphor perfectly illustrates effective succession:
Preparation: Train your successors before they need to take over
Timing: Know when to begin the handoff process
Trust: Believe in those you've prepared
Release: Let go completely when the time comes
Measuring Transfer Success
Practical knowledge and responsibility transfer shows in:
Confident decision-making by new leaders
Continuous organizational growth
Innovation built on established foundations
Preservation of core values with fresh approaches
Practical Steps for Implementation
Start Early
Identify potential successors immediately
Create development plans
Share responsibilities gradually
Document crucial knowledge
Build Trust
Provide increasing autonomy
Allow for mistakes and learning
Offer honest feedback
Celebrate successes
Transfer Wisdom
Share not just what to do but why
Explain the reasoning behind decisions
Include successors in key meetings
Provide context for historical choices
Let Go Gradually
Delegate increasing responsibility
Step back from routine decisions
Serve as advisor rather than director
Trust the process
Remember: The goal isn't to create copies of ourselves but to develop leaders who will take our vision further than we could imagine. Success without succession isn't success at all – it's a temporary achievement that fades with time.
Key Leadership Insights
From my years of experience, what I've learned:
Focus on Growth, Not Position
Great leaders deploy others; they don't just employ them
Authentic leadership is about serving, not being served
Your value isn't in your position but in your impact
The Power of Mentorship
The greatest act of leadership is mentoring
Success is measured by the success of your successor
Leadership maturity is shown in wanting others to exceed your achievements
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Weekly Challenge
This Week's Leadership Challenge: Identify one person in your circle who shows leadership potential and spend 30 minutes mentoring them this week.
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK
"The true test of leadership is what happens when you're no longer there." - Dr. Myles Munroe
As the President and Founder of A Few Good MENtors, I deeply resonate with this quote based on my leadership development experience. Dr. Munroe's wisdom cuts to the heart of authentic leadership.
A building's structure isn't tested during construction when scaffolding and supports are in place. It's tested when those supports are removed and it must stand on its own. Similarly, true leadership isn't measured by how well things run under our direct supervision, but by how they function in our absence.
WRAPPING UP and LOOKING AHEAD
As we conclude this week's exploration of leadership and legacy, I'm reminded that our strength lies in our commitment to sharing knowledge and lifting others. Your engagement with these ideas helps build stronger communities and more effective leaders.
Next Week's Focus: The Impact of Stress and Anxiety at Work
Join us as we examine how this crucial topic affects leaders and team members. We'll explore:
Understanding workplace stress triggers
Developing resilience strategies
Supporting team members through challenging times
Creating mentally healthy work environments
Building sustainable leadership practices under pressure
Support Our Mission
Help us expand our impact by sharing this newsletter with your network and earning exclusive A Few Good MENtors gear!
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)
CFC Number: 65125
Attention Federal Employees, Retirees, and Contractors: Your contribution can make a difference! Support A Few Good MENtors through the Combined Federal Campaign. Your tax-deductible donation helps us:
Expand mentorship programs
Develop leadership training materials
Support community initiatives
Create opportunities for emerging leaders
Every dollar contributes to building stronger leaders and communities. The CFC campaign runs through January 15, 2025.
Stay Connected
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.afgmentors.net
📱 Social Media: @AFGMentors
Final Thought
"Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge." - Simon Sinek
Until next week, keep growing, leading, and making a difference.
With purpose,
Michael R. Morgan President/Founder, A Few Good MENtors Editor, G.R.O.W. Newsletter
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