BOSMA ENTERPRISES Archives - Wheeler Coaching Systems

I was sitting in the office across from a woman with calm, quiet confidence, and strength. This woman had spent part of her career in various hospital systems and then pivoted to non-profit fundraising. Arvetta Jideonwo’s present role is the Executive Director of the Bosma Visionary Opportunities Foundation.

I met Arvetta at a fundraising breakfast where I was able to see firsthand the amazing work of Bosma Enterprises to meet its mission of creating opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired. During our time together she shared with me a few of the principles she applies in her leadership.

Lead from a Team

Arvetta may have the title and the position of leader, but she is fully aware success is based on the team’s efforts. She wants to be “in the dirt with them”, but not in the weeds. What does this mean?

As the leader her role is to encourage her team members and by helping them know she is with them on this journey. Taking time to understand their needs and situation helps her to create an encouraging atmosphere. Finally, she asks a question that helps her team know she is with them, but will not get in the “weeds” and do the work for them.

“How can I help to support you in reaching the goal.”

Create a Safe Environment

This leader strives to create a safe environment for communication and constructive feedback. In order to learn more, she provided some of the strategies she has found helps create this.

After action meeting – the post event debrief to determine what was good and what needs improvement
Survey attendees – this layers on top of the first step and provides an objective method for gaining feedback
Asking for feedback – when a decision needs to be made or strategy is be determined Arvetta will gather feedback from her team and compile that feedback to share to those who lead her
Honesty – instead of creating mental stories which lead to unfounded rumors she strives to maintain a culture where people can provide unsolicited feedback without fear

These practical steps help create a culture of safe and open communication in her organization.

Servant Leadership

You may be familiar with this concept, but I asked for her definition. She described it as “willing to lead and willing to follow.” Many leaders face the challenge of knowing when and how much control to let go of and trust others with. Some leaders fail to figure out how to navigate this tightrope and it ultimately negatively impacts them and their organization or team.

Arvetta wants to get out of the way and “let her staff shine.” I would suggest this creates an atmosphere to multiply leaders and not just add followers as John Maxwell discusses in his book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Not only does this develop leaders, but it frees her up to think strategically and set the vision for the organization’s growth.

Arvetta is not a woman who sits behind the desk and gives orders. She is among her people leading through serving. One of her biggest principles that she strives to implement is creating a safe environment for continuous improvement where healthy conflict and failure are permitted in the context of learning and growth.

So how are you leading in these areas? What can you do today to come alongside and serve your team as the leader and create a safe environment for communication? Need help with that? Contact me so we can discover any way I may be able to help. In the meantime, lead well.