Collaborative Leadership: "Are we in this Together?"

Blog post Written by Maggie Scarsella- Member of the Rivera Fund Leadership Cohort, ADA/Sign Language Interpreter Coordinator at the Staten Island University Hospital, and parent to 13-year-old twins, who are on the Autism Spectrum.

Over 200 years ago, a man in civilian clothes rode past a small group of tired and battled weary soldiers. They were digging what appeared to be an important defensive position. The leader of the group wasn’t making any effort to help. He just shouted orders and threatened to punish the group if the work wasn’t completed within the hour.

“Why aren’t you helping?” the stranger asked on horseback.

“I’m in charge! The men do as I tell them,” said the leader. He added, “Help them yourself if you feel so strongly about it.” To the leader’s surprise, the stranger got off his horse and helped the men until the job was finished.

Before he left the stranger congratulated the men for their work, and approached the confused leader. “You should notify top command next time your rank prevents you from supporting your men – and I will provide a more permanent solution,” the stranger said. Up close, the now humbled leader recognized the stranger was General George Washington and was sure to have learned a lesson, he would never forget!

I love leaders that are willing to "dig in" with the team.

I have been fortunate enough in my life to have worked with some great leaders. I can remember on several occasions a co-worker of mine working late with me on projects. She could have gone home but she chose to stay and help me.

I learned several important things from those leaders. One was that they cared. These leaders weren’t just "order-barkers”, but rather, "order-supporters". My respect and trust for those leaders was sincere and resulted in a deep loyalty to the work. Leaders with a participatory mindset understand that meaningful change will require a team of "co-learners, who are co-creating".