The Hitchhiker's Guide to Leadership

Leadership Institute The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Leadership Bill Schneider, ARS, william .schneider@ars .usda .gov, and Janna Beckerman, Purdue University, jbeckerm@purdue .edu “O Deep Thought Clear communication is the foundation of any relationship and a fundamental facet computer,” he said, “the of leadership . Take the time to prepare what task we have designed you’ll communicate (clarify your goals), you to perform is this. recognize your audience, deliver the message We want you to tell clearly with conviction, confirm that the message is received and understood, and use us....,” he paused, “the answer.” listener feedback to evaluate the effectiveness Leadership is many things, and the path of communication and improve your delivery . to effective leadership is rarely a straight line . Effective leadership requires different “I think we have different value systems.” —Arthur DENT approaches, styled to the needs of distinct “The answer to the great question… situations and personalities involved . Over the —FORD PREFECT last three years, we’ve tried to provide some “Well, mine’s better.” of life, the universe and everything…. nuggets of wisdom about being a better leader, Understanding that others see the world is…forty-two.” a guide if you will . Being unrepentant science differently is a characteristic of a good leader . dorks, we’ve sometimes drawn analogies from γνωθι σεαυτόν isn’t Amoeboid Zingatularian, “Once you understand what the pop culture and science fiction . Put it all but Greek, for “know thyself” (you would question is, you’ll actually know what together, and this was simply inevitable: we know this if you had a babel fish) . People who the answer means.” present for your amusement and disdain, the know themselves understand who they are, —DEEP THOUGHT COMPUTER Hitchhiker’s Guide to Leadership . and others, and are able to distinguish their For those of you who aren’t familiar, The perceptions of another from who that person Hey, it’s as good an answer as any! There just Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was written really is . There are multiple personality tests isn’t a single answer to the question of what by Douglas Adams as a radio screenplay and available that can give you an idea of your makes a good leader . The reality is nobody then adapted into novels as a “trilogy in five working style and how your personality type has all the answers, no two people will handle parts ”. The guide follows the misadventures of affects your working style and preferences . a given situation the same way, and nobody Arthur Dent as he encounters a series of aliens Understanding the personality types of those handles every situation perfectly . Becoming with quirky personalities, including Ford you lead helps as well . a better leader is a process, not a destination . Prefect, a researcher/writer for the guidebook, Good leadership is just as much about and Zaphod Beeblebrox, the president of the “A common mistake that people make adapting and learning as a journey through the universe . The entire series is rife with quotable when trying to design something universe . Keep calm and keep track of your quotes, but some are pertinent to those completely foolproof is to underestimate towel, and you’ll do just fine . who would become better leaders . So with the ingenuity of fools.” apologies to Mr . Adams… “One of the things Ford Prefect had Things will go wrong . Nearly every time . always found hardest to understand “If there’s anything more important Responding to adversity positively is a definite about humans was their habit of than my ego around I want it caught plus in a leader . Keep things in perspective; continually stating and repeating the and shot right now.” set a good example by keeping calm . Define very very obvious.” —Zaphod BeeblebroX the problem without assigning blame and figure out possible solutions . Don’t be afraid We have enjoyed our work with the There’s a tendency for scientists, because to accept help . Resilience is key; when things Leadership Institute and working to train most of us are smart, well-educated go wrong it can be very hard to maintain your ourselves and other plant pathologists in “the individuals, to rely heavily on our own confidence, but resilience is a skill that can be soft skills” of leadership . Thank you for the opinions to make decisions . But the thing learned and practiced before the crisis . You can opportunity to learn, grow, and share . Special is, we become much better leaders when bounce back . thanks to everyone who helped along the way, we solicit and value the contributions of especially Michelle Bjerkness, Eric Tedford, colleagues and (believe it or not) critics . Check Erika Saalau-Rojas, Renee Rioux, and the your ego at the door, become a better listener . Leadership Institute committee members and The rest will follow . volunteers past and present . “We demand rigidly defined areas of “So long and thanks for all the fish.” doubt and uncertainty.” —Vroomfondel —BILL AND JANNA n 98 July 2016.

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