“It may not be your fault, but it is your responsibility.”
Leadership is on the minds of a lot of people right now. Across parks and conservation, we’re seeing transitions. Open superintendent positions. Agencies without permanent directors. People stepping into leadership roles earlier than they expected. When that happens, uncertainty creeps in. And when uncertainty creeps in, people crave leadership.
Phil Gaines joined me to talk about what good leadership actually looks like. Not just the title or what it’s like to get the promotion. The parts of leadership that people don’t always talk about. Things like leadership being hard, relentless, and that there is no finish line.
You don’t earn a certificate that says you’ve arrived. The moment you step into leadership, it stops being about you and starts being about the people you serve. That shift alone is hard.
We talked about several keys to good leadership: accountability, confidence, vision, communication, and knowledge. Accountability means owning it. Even if the issue wasn’t your fault, it becomes your responsibility. Confidence isn’t ego. It’s the ability to move forward and help build confidence in others. Vision means you know where you’re going. Communication ensures others know it too.
One of my favorite lines from Phil is that you don’t have to be smart, but you do have to be knowledgeable. Surround yourself with smart people. Remove obstacles. Empower them. Lead.
Don’t wait until you have the title to start leading. Leadership is action, not position. Practice accountability. Practice vision. Write down your goals. Improve your area of responsibility now.
There’s no such thing as no leadership. When there’s a void, someone steps up. That someone might be you. Leadership is hard. But it’s also deeply rewarding. When you see others succeed because of the culture you helped create, that’s as good as it gets.
Resources
https://parkleaders.com/about/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/
Notable Moments
[00:02:29] Leadership transitions are creating uncertainty across parks and agencies
[00:04:06] Leadership is hard, relentless, and has no finish line
[00:09:06] Accountability means owning outcomes, even when they aren’t your fault
[00:10:30] Vision and communication give direction to leadership
[00:11:15] You don’t have to be the smartest, but you must be knowledgeable
[00:12:15] “It may not be your fault, but it is your responsibility” in action
[00:13:51] There is no such thing as no leadership; someone will emerge
[00:22:56] Leadership development begins long before you have the title
[00:25:17] How initiative at any level inspires leaders above you