CCDA Leadership Retreat

JoAnn Tennyson

The weekend retreat in Fresno (June 24-25) was productive. President Elect Rochelle McCready presided over a lively session with Executive Board Members Mary Robins, Robin Wortley-Hammond, JoAnn Tennyson, Kathy Engelstad, Serena Santillanes, and Carrie McKnight.

The primary focus of the retreat was to promote communication, enhance leadership cohesion and work for the continued delivery of member services. Two excellent workshops were presented to foster these goals. Sue Aiken and Michelle DeRosa, two former CCDA leaders, delivered workshops on the MBTI and succession planning, respectively.

Sue Aiken guided the executive board through a series of exercises to help recognize and utilize our strengths and become aware of the challenges. Since many of the board members share similar MBTI codes, it will be necessary to draw upon certain members and procedures to ensure optimal communication and effectiveness.

Succession planning was the focus of Sunday morning’s meeting led by Michelle DeRosa. With Michelle’s help, the board identified the qualities, or competencies, desired for board members and project team leaders. The six organizational competencies and specific related traits thought necessary for leadership in CCDA are (not in any particular order of importance):

• Action orientation
• Effectiveness team/builder orientation
• Emotional intelligence
• Member focused
• Strategic agility
• Systems management

Within each of the six competencies or strengths are a number of descriptors the board felt best described each specific competency:

Action orientation
Action oriented
Time management
Planning
Organizing                                                                              

Systems Management
Management through systems
Innovative management
Technology skill
Managerial courage
Standing alone
Political savvy
Conflict management
Dealing with ambiguity

Emotional Intelligence
Interpersonal savvy                  
Composure                                                 
Patience                                        
Perseverance                                
Humor
Ethics and values
Integrity and trust
Self-knowledge
Self-development
Career ambition

Strategic Agility
Strategic ability
Organizational agility
Decision quality
Creativity
Problem solving
Perspective
Managing vision and purpose

Member Focus
Business acumen
Customer focus
Managing diversity
Listening
Approachability
Informing
Sizing up people

Team Orientation
Building effective teams
Peer relationships
Fairness to direct reports
Developing direct reports
Directing others
Delegation

The executive board recognized the salient fact that it was unlikely that one individual would possess all the competencies listed. The exercise clarified and gave direction for future selection of individuals and tasks when assembling teams for upcoming projects and leadership positions.

As the workshop came to a close Sunday afternoon, the board consensus was that the weekend had been time well spent. We look forward to working with members during the upcoming year in providing workshops, PDIs and mini-conferences to promote knowledge and leadership in the various chapters throughout California.

Your comments, concerns and questions are welcome as we begin this new year in CCDA. Help yourself professionally and personally by getting involved in your local chapter. Share your strengths and shine your light!