REFLECTIONS

     Reflecting back on the project, I think there’s a few key things I can take away.  This project provided an excellent opportunity to practice teamwork and active listening.  Sometimes, leadership is knowing when to focus on others first.  An aspect of servant leadership, I found my primary focus in this project was in meeting the needs of others.  I had to listen carefully to what they needed, and incorporate their needs into my results.  For example, part of the reason I abandoned the programs GRASS and ArcGIS were because I knew that even if I figured out those programs, others wouldn’t be able to.  I needed a program that I could easily teach to others, empowering them to create far more after I was gone.  This wasn’t about me, it was about the workers at Whatcom Farm-to-School and giving them the best tool possible to promote their success in future endeavors while meeting their current needs.  I think this is in essence what servant leadership is all about: empowering others to succeed.

     This project also offered me an excellent opportunity to take a risk.  Successful leader after successful leader all agree: in order to grow, you need to be able to take risks.  Entering into this project, I had zero foreknowledge.  I could have accepted an easier task that would be safe.  I did not.  Instead, I jumped at the opportunity to test myself.  Here was an opportunity to risk failure.  Fail or succeed, I’d learn more about myself and my capabilities.  And learn I did.  It’s a bit scary taking on a task without help, and no clue where to start.  But being able to face a daunting task, and go for it anyway is critical in creating a culture of courage in an organization.  Being willing to accept failure in myself and others, and use it as a teaching opportunity, is vital to continued growth in leadership.  I showed to myself that I was willing to risk failure to test myself.  Armed with this knowledge, I know I can continue to push my boundaries in the future and continue to grow.

     I also learned a bit about transformational leadership.  Mardi Solomon, my project coordinator, is very dedicated to her work.  She exudes exuberance, and brings a joy and rare energy to everything she works on.  Even pouring over excel files, she was constantly speaking about potential, possibilities.  The future.  Mardi’s exuberance was, quite simply, infectious.  Her enthusiasm for her subject made you want to help.  I began the project knowing virtually nothing about the Whatcom Farm-to-School project.  Her passion for the subject matter inevitably drew me in, until I felt like I was part of the team contributing to a noble cause.  She didn’t lecture me, she didn’t try to draw me in.  She simply was herself.  She charged forward, looking for new opportunities to improve their offering.  Mardi constantly searches for the potential in any idea, turning it into something positive.  This focus on the future, and focus on her cause, are what I believe allowed her to “suck me in”.  She was able to get me to buy in without even trying, and I think she ended up inadvertently acting as a role model for me.  I can take her example, and apply it to my own leadership style.  Believe in what you’re doing, look to the future and new possibilities.  Constantly move forward, despite possible risks, and your enthusiasm and dedication will naturally pull others along with you.  That’s transformational leadership in action on a small scale.

     This project gave me a crash course in some technical web development skills.  But to me, that’s simply a minor benefit compared to giving me working experience working in a professional environment with people dedicated to their jobs.  Specifically, learning about the process.  Sharing drop boxes, collaborating on projects, keeping others “in the know”, drafting memos and keeping a schedule.  All were used at various times in my project, and gave me valuable experience that I can use to further my own future success in teams.

     Finally, I gained a contact.  Mardi seemed enthused with my results.  I’ve offered my future services to help if there’s any issues with the map I created for them.  I also feel that I can draw upon her knowledge and expertise in the future.