by Steve Parker
Steve Parker is Director of Sandow Generation, a lignite plant in south central Texas, a part of Luminant Fossil Generation. Sandow has an operating capacity of 1,137 MW, enough to power about 570,000 homes in normal conditions. Steve has been on a journey of leadership development and shares the benefits of finding times for intentional leadership with his people at the plant in this recent letter to Ann.
During a coaching session with Ann McGee-Cooper, I mentioned that I was pondering the question “Am I too busy to lead?” This question struck me as I realized the message I am unintentionally sending in my day-to-day rush to keep up with unit status, reading and responding to e-mails, preparing for meetings, and attending meetings. Many people must quietly think “Steve is too busy to hear or consider what I have to say.” What a loss of opportunity when words and thoughts are never shared.
No question, I have a lot on my plate; but, when I really think about it, I realize I am too focused on short term reactionary management of the facility and not taking care of what is most important:what pays big dividends for everyone “being the servant-leader I want to be.”
I must do my day-to-day management job but most importantly I must focus the majority of my time on leading. Leading is a whole lot more enjoyable and rewarding than managing and I actually get more done through others when I choose to lead rather than do.
Click here to read the rest of Steve’s story on our site.
“We asked AMCA to help us with our servant leadership development strategy. They did more than nudge us along. They instilled a discipline we needed to hold ourselves accountable and to stay true to our beliefs and values during the hard times, as well as the good. They are not cheerleaders. They are wise sages and counsel, as well as friends.”