Our paths crossed about 10
years ago when Linda took over the food service program for the school district. It was mid-year and she was moving from
running a single school food service operation to managing the district’s food
service program consisting of 20 schools.
Linda was a humble and quiet
person who always thought the best of people.
She was uncomfortable being in the spotlight and always gave credit to
others when the light shined her way.
The new position was a leap for
Linda. It required managing a complex
two million dollar enterprise operation, leading 90 food service employees, forecasting
a program a year in advance and understanding the complex needs of the school
district.
These challenges were
significant but the biggest one for Linda was making the tough decisions that involved
food service staff and their livelihoods. Linda had come up through the food
service program and knew many of these employees personally. She identified with them, a difficult
position for a leader.
In spite of her trepidation,
Linda faced all of the challenges without hesitation. She gathered information, talked to the staff
and then moved resolutely toward decision making. Linda delivered bad news in person. Given her
nature, it was difficult for her to make the decisions affecting staffing but
she knew it was what her job required and she didn’t shy from the
responsibility. Linda was a brave leader.
As I worked with Linda I
appreciated her deep concern for students she had developed during her career
in food service. Linda was committed to
helping children be successful by giving them good food to eat, both appetizing
and nutritious. She knew that school meals
were keeping some students from going hungry. Linda’s concern for students was
her motivation to help overcome any personal challenges she faced.
Linda made the decision to leave
school food service. She left on her own
terms and without any reservation about her commitment to the students. We were also sorry to see her go but we felt we
were better at our jobs for having the opportunity to serve with her.
Leaders need to do what is
right, not what is easy. Members of the
group or employees expect leaders to be brave.
This is not an option if the leader wants to foster credibility and
trust. Leaders need to have the courage
to make the tough call; to be like a rock in the river when the current is
pushing hard.
Linda was brave when facing
her last and final challenge. She gave me the coffee mug as on office present
one year for Christmas. Every time I use
the mug I draw inspiration from Linda’s example.
