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Leadership - At work in your community

Everything rises and falls on leadership. Every organization or collection of people, from large to small, requires ardent and true leaders. Families depend on it, our communities depend on it and our country depends on it.

I am part of the leadership at work in our community and understand the ability of one person to move others to great visions and forge new ground. It takes courage to beckon others to move ahead. It takes courage to lead to new possibilities and move out of the impossible to the possible. It takes courage to speak out and stay the course.

Leadership is alive and well in Douglas County. The commissioners have leadership rolls in DRCOG (Denver Regional Council Of Governments), Douglas County Water Authority, Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC), Progressive 15, Colorado Water Congress, Colorado River Water Conservation District, Colorado Civil Rights Commissioner, (CCI) Colorado Counties, Inc. Land Use and Natural Resources, Arapahoe County public Airport Authority, (NACo) National Association of Counties, and the list goes on and on.

In my leadership rolls with Castle Rock Town Council, 25 years in successful businesses, chairman of numerous community events, and my family I have experienced tough and challenging times and have become stronger and thrive because of those times.

Here is what I have learned and commit to:

#1. Always, Keep My Eye On The Big Picture. The Douglas County Master Plan created by the citizens gives us the road map and vision. The temptation is to become too focused on the problems instead of the solutions. I see people, places and things bigger and better than they are.

#2. Use the power of teams. The Board of County Commissioners is composed of three people, and, in addition, numerous organizations are in place to bring better governance to Douglas County. I pledge to create and/or use dynamic team processes.

#2. Don't Get Caught in the War. I will keep my eye on the big picture and act ethically, rationally and objectively and set an example for the citizens and employees of Douglas County. People say many things because of fear. The temptation is to focus on the negative, but many positive opportunities are there to be found.

#3. Be the First to Sacrifice. When the going gets tough, I will do what a leader should do, lead, and be the first to recognize sacrifice by myself and the county. I will take the first arrow, tackle the first problem and commit myself to boldly finding the solutions and create a future by being flexible and innovative.

#4. Remain Calm. By remaining calm through emergency situations I will lead our county through tough times by communicating with the team in place.

#5. Motivate. The citizens and employees deserve a strong leader that will brave the current storms. I will focus on the issue with an optimistic view and a bold attitude. I will develop a culture of leadership for the “emerging leaders” so they will continue to invest their future in the county.

#6. Create Small Wins. Opportunities are all around us. I will establish mentoring opportunities and inspire others to lead by setting strategy and a course of action. The atmosphere of small wins inspires employees to be there best.

#7. Keep a Sense of Humor. I like to laugh at myself first. This helps me keep a healthy perspective when people act irrationally because of their fear. I have learned to respect their situations and have compassion for the moment and to be kind.