Wastewater Visibility News
Leadership in the Wastewater Industry Means Serving Others
August 23, 2024
Denver Stutler, Jr., P.E.
Part 6 in the USST Safety Series examines why leadership in the wastewater industry begins with service to others.
Humility and Service
At US Submergent Technologies, our mission and values call for our team leaders to take responsibility for their actions and for the actions of everyone who is part of the team.
When leaders focus on the well-being, safety, and success of their clients, teams, and the communities they serve, then—and only then—are they truly leaders in the wastewater industry. Leadership is only effective when it is administered from a position of humility and service to others. Those who are in leadership roles and who focus on their own accomplishments inevitably fall short. Change and accomplishment are always the result of a united and service-driven effort.
As Ken Blanchard, author of The One-Minute Manager, said, “Servant leadership is all about making the goals clear and then rolling your sleeves up and doing whatever it takes to help people win. In that situation, they don’t work for you; you work for them.”
Strategies for Service-Focused Leadership in the Wastewater Industry
- As a leader, you must share what you have, what you know, and what you can do. In a world driven by fast-changing technology, good leaders know there is no benefit to hoarding knowledge. Instead, they freely give away what they know, empowering others for success.
- Be prepared and supportive of others when they assume responsibilities that were once under your domain. What if others execute your tasks better than you performed them? Wonderful! Celebrate and support them. The success of those who step into your shoes is not a reflection on how you performed, it is a tribute to how well you, as their leader, paved a path for them.
- Own the fact that when mistakes are made, they are your mistakes. As a leader, when your team makes a misstep the responsibility is always on you as the one who selects, trains, prepares, equips and manages your team’s efforts and every project’s outcome.
- Recognize that, as a leader, your job is not complete until you have met or exceeded your client’s expectations and doing so safely, maintaining regulatory compliance, while being on budget and on time.
US Submergent Technologies (USST) 12 – Part Safety Series
You’ll find the first five installments from US Submergent Technologies (USST) published on Wastewater Visibility News here:
- INNOVATIVE: When we solve problems using our capabilities, we are safer, faster, and more cost-effective than anyone else.
- DEPENDABLE: When we show up on time, do what we say, and always follow up.
- KNOWLEDGABLE: When we learn from our experiences and understand our limits.
- EFFICIENT: When we do not waste time.
- EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS: When we care, communicate honestly, and do our job.
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