Listen

by Ed Luttrell, National Grange Director of Leadership and Membership

Being a leader means you must build a team to accomplish the task that your team is given. In order to build a functioning team, your first lesson is to listen to your team members. You should ask them how they want to work toward achieving the team’s goal. You must then listen to their ideas and comments.

By listening, you demonstrate the importance that each person has to the team. Each idea, suggestion, or comment gives your group a stronger identity as a “team.” It soon becomes the team’s project instead of the leader’s project.

By listening, you also begin the process of developing new leaders. By encouraging others to speak and share their ideas, they will build confidence in themselves through experience. You also train new members, through example, that each person is valuable and has something to contribute to the team’s efforts.
Build a stronger Grange by listening to your team.