NEW YORK TIMES - Dr. William Allan Kritsonis - Administrative Philosophy

1. A Brief Statement of My Leadership Philosophy (June 1, 2013)
William Allan Kritsonis, PhD
Professor
PhD Program in Educational Leadership
PVAMU/Member of the Texas A&M University System
ABSTRACT
The focus of this brief statement is to provide an example of developing a
philosophy of leadership. I discusses my beliefs of leading with integrity, the
importance of collaborating, the attitude of servant leadership, the
significance of effective communication, how to empower others, the impact of
passion being contagious throughout an organization, and keys to a life well
lived.
“Do something wonderful, people may imitate it.”
-Albert Schweitzer (1875 – 1965)
Purpose
The purpose of this statement is to briefly discuss my personal philosophy of
leadership. My philosophy of leadership emphasizes the importance of integrity,
collaborating, servant leadership, communicating, empowering others, and the
importance of passion. Leaders not only lead an organization, they lead people.
Organizations will struggle unless the individuals within the organization feel a
dedication of responsibility and ownership. Individuals must see a leader of
integrity, who is self aware and appreciates the importance of collaboration and
communication. I have developed belief statements that reflect my personal
leadership philosophy.
Number One: I believe in leading with integrity.
Thomas Jefferson said, “Whenever you do a thing, act as if the world were
watching. Integrity is an integral part of effective leadership.” All stakeholders
should trust and believe that their leader will make decisions in the best interest of
the community. People should know that the leader ‘means what they say and says
what they mean’ and can be counted on to deliver. Integrity builds trust, a must for
a successful leader. Displaying integrity develops credibility, yielding a solid
reputation for the leader.

2. Number Two: I believe in collaborating.
Vince Lombardi once said, “Individual commitment to a group effort – that
is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”
One guiding vision drives the mission, goals, and objectives of an organization.
Working together, the vision will be achieved. A leader’s primary responsibility is
to collaboratively work with individuals, listen to them and learn from them. A
collaborating leader has high self-esteem and encourages ideas from others and
giving credit where credit is due.
Number Three: I believe in servant leadership.
The idea of servant leadership is to cultivate those within the organization by
building trust and improving teamwork through collaboration and personal
involvement. Servant leaders make decisions by developing a sense of community
and maintaining a commitment to the growth of individuals. Caring for people,
encouraging them, and valuing their opinions contribute to organizational goals
being realized. According to John Maxwell, “People do not care how much you
know until they know how much you care.”
Number Four: I believe in effective communicating.
Effective communication skills are essential to the effective leader.
Communication requires transforming an idea from one brain to another. Effective
communication requires articulation of ideas and active listening. Mac Anderson,
founder of Successories, says “The great leader truly understands that effective
communication is the key that unlocks the door to trust.” Trust is essential when
developing working relationships.
Number Five: I believe in empowering others.
Theodore Roosevelt best described the concept of empowerment as follows:
“The best executive is one who has sense enough to pick good people to do what
he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while
they do it.” Developing individuals through empowerment increases the
productivity of the organization. A leader must trust the individuals with the
creativity and intellect to carry out the assigned tasks. An effective leader should
recognize the abilities and aptitudes of the individuals within the teams and assign
tasks accordingly. Through empowerment, individuals grow both professionally
and personally, which is critical for carrying out the vision and sustaining the
efforts over time.

3. Number Six: I believe in passion.
Passion, like a smile, is contagious. Leaders articulate visions, goals, and
strategies. Leaders also influence the enthusiasm of those under their charge. A
leader must exude passion for the pursuit of excellence. Zig Ziglar says, “Go as far
as you can go. When you get there, you can always see farther.”
“You get the best efforts from others not be lighting a fire beneath them,
but by building a fire within”.
-Ben Nelson
Number Seven: The Keys to a Life Well Lived
Taking care of those you love and letting them know they are loved; holding
firm to a higher power, to your religious faith, no matter how high you rise or low
you fall. This involves determination, self-discipline, and active attention to
developing and refining a conscience to whose promptings you can respond. You
must honor your calling or profession by trying to do within it honorable work, that
takes hard effort, and a willingness to master the ethics of your field, and above all
enjoying life. This can be challenging in America, where sometimes people are
rather grim in their determination to get and to have. “Enjoy life, it’s ungrateful not
to,” said Ronald Reagan
Source: Noonan, P. (2008, June 21). A life’s lesson. The Wall Street Journal, p. A9.
References
Anderson, M. (2005). The essence of leadership. Naperville, IL: Simple Truths.
Anderson, M. (2007). You can't send a duck to eagle school: And other simple truths of
leadership. Naperville, IL: Simple Truths.
Anderson, M., & Feltenstein, T. (2007). Change is good...you go first: 21 ways to inspire
change. Naperville, IL: Simple Truths.
Anderson, P. (2007). Great quotes from great leaders. Naperville, IL: Simple Truths.
Noonan, P. (2008, June 21). A life’s lesson. The Wall Street Journal, p. A9.