Synergy - May/June 2014 - 18

namss focus

Are You Good Enough to Lead?
By Melissa Walters, MHA, CPMSM, CPCS, MSOW-C

"Do not go where the path may lead;
go instead where there is no path
and leave a trail."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

M

any of us question whether or not
we have what it takes to lead.
Think about your career path-did
you ever think you would be where you are
today without taking that first step into
leadership? I look back at the last 20-plus
years and think, "Really, how did I get here?"
And then I think, "Wow! I had great mentors
along the way who have encouraged, taught,
and sometimes dragged me along the
leadership path. How else would I learn?
I'm not perfect. I'm human-just like you!"
As chair of the Nominating Committee,
I have the pleasure of working with a
great group of NAMSS leaders as we vet
applicants who will be presented before
the membership to be elected to serve as a
NAMSS officer or board member. To prepare
for this challenging task, I began reading a
couple of different leadership books. The
first one I read, "Shed or You're Dead,"
taught me to shed the old and accept
change. Well, duh! Change is what life is all
about. So, nothing new there, but the book
helped me to see others differently and also
accept that we all have different leadership
talents. I sometimes forget that, and I shame
myself, but, then again, I remember I am
only human. Still, I ask myself, "What can
I do to bring out the best in others?"
I am reading a book called "Leadership
Rules." Yep, apparently there are rules. But
guess what? The rules change depending
on when and where you enter the game.
I just reached the chapter in the book
where it asks readers-you guessed it!-"Are
you good enough to lead?" (Hence my
inspiration for this article.)
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SYNERGY MAY/JUNE 2014

This made me think about those of you
who are considering stepping up to
the plate and submitting an application
to serve as a NAMSS officer or board
member. This chapter in "Leadership
Rules" talks about a race in which a
group of people are running from an irate
ostrich. We all know that ostriches are fast
birds (and, even though they can't fly, they
are birds!).
The lesson in this book is that you don't
have to be the fastest runner to outrun the
ostrich; you just have to outrun everyone
else around you. It also talks about how
expectations are clear when you enter the
race, but you must have mastered your
trade. It goes on to state that at every stage
of the game, the rules change. For example,
early on, leadership is about the ability to
get things done and manage people. Then
it is about managing the organization (in
our case, the association), and then, when
you reach the top, leadership gets easier
(yeah right) because your authority and
responsibility are more balanced.
I also read the article "21 Distinguishing
Qualities of Great Leader Volunteers,"
written by Henry S. Givray, president and
CEO of SmithBucklin (which follows this
article). "21 Distinguishing Qualities of Great
Leader Volunteers" compares the leader
volunteer to the placeholder volunteer.
According to Givray, a great leader:
1. Looks forward and discerns the future;
thinks strategically

2. Puts duty and the greater good before self
3. Holds him/herself accountable for
delivering on promises and specific
performance
4. Views volunteer service as an honor
5. Possesses passion and conviction in the
organization's vision and purpose
6. Possesses mental toughness and resilience
7. Understands the commitment of time,
energy, and other requirements before
accepting the position
So, as you are asking yourself if you are
good enough to lead, I encourage you to do
an internal assessment about your leadership
talents and review the "21 Distinguishing
Qualities of Great Leader Volunteers." Ask
yourself whether or not you would be a
great leader volunteer. No one wants to be
seen as the placeholder.
NAMSS has seen its share of great leaders
throughout its history. Whether serving as
a committee chair, committee member, or
on the Board of Directors, I have enjoyed
working with all of you over the last several
years. Now is your time to "man up" and
come forth to service on the NAMSS board
and honor others by serving. ■

Melissa Walters is the chair of
the NAMSS Nominating
Committee and Immediate Past
President of the NAMSS Board of
Directors. She is senior director
of centralized credentialing for
John Hopkins Health System.
Synergy - May/June 2014

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