Regarding leadership in volunteer positions, I’ve learned that when you begin as a new volunteer, you must earn your authority. I retired from a management position where I was accustomed to my opinions being taken seriously, my jokes being laughed at, my instructions and suggestions being followed…but when I volunteered, my resume carried no weight. I was just the neewbie in the room. Those who had longer, deeper experience as volunteers were given deference, no matter what their prior work experience may have been. It took some time for my ego to adjust, but it did…and over time I’ve learned some new skills in how to bring what I know about management to the volunteer world without seeming presumptuous or overbearing…which is a trap those of us used to being “in charge” can easily fall into.
Starting Over by Helen Springer
March 3, 2014 by ElderChicks
That is really good advice.!
Good point. We are the same people but in very different roles.
What great advice! This works in other, non-volunteer situations as well. How many times have you noticed that a person who is used to students listening and taking notes has trouble adjusting to an audience of non-students?