To lead effectively we need to make sure our people know what to do, have the tools to do it, and are inspired to act. This process is easy to remember if you think of “the three E’s”.
Educate
Education is the part where we clarify the “what”. For example, how many people in our district can sit down and list the process for chartering a new club? It’s not complicated; the process can be clearly communicated in a couple of minutes. But the vast majority of our members don’t know how it works, and that lack of education is not only costing the district dearly, but it’s robbing members of opportunities to learn valuable, real-world leadership skills.
Equip
Having a wide array of tools available to deal with situations as they come up (and knowing that the tools exist!) removes obstacles to implementation and helps to ensure success.
These tools could include other people (a committee that specializes in putting on demo meetings), educational resources (videos covering best practices for generating interest in Toastmasters), or forms/templates for paperwork (sample agendas).
Energize
Ever been to a TLI with 150+ people? Remember the energy in the room? The information you’re learning, the tools you’re being given, and the community you’re experiencing combine to create an environment where you feel able to succeed.
That doesn’t just apply to large events. People who are well-educated, properly equipped, and who know that somebody has their back can step forward confidently and do great things!