Written by: LaToya Larkin, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
A leader has a significant impact on the life of the people they lead and an extraordinary impact on the people who aspire to be like them. I consider a PACTful leader to be an amazing leader. What is PACTful leadership? P is for “Passion.” Where the person is passionate about their purpose and reason for doing what they do. A is for “accountability.” The willingness to hold their followers with the same standard of accountability as they hold themselves to. C is for “Caring.” There’s a deeply vested level of caring genuineness of how they care about the people they lead and taking things to the next level within the organization. Last, T is for “Tactful.” The way a leader carry themselves and deal with the adversity that will come. Will they take the graceful road and go high when someone says mean, low things about them, or will they distastefully respond and handle things in a petty manner?
Four Characteristics of a Leader
To be taken seriously in a leadership position, exemplify certain characteristics and qualities. Without the following four things being fulfilled, then you can believe that no one will follow someone who doesn’t make a difference, isn’t credible, that has no values of commitment, or doesn’t admire.
1. Making a Difference
Leadership is accessible to anyone who has a passion and purpose of changing the way things are. The leader who has the most influence over your desire to stay or leave, your commitment to the organization’s vision and values, your ethical decisions and actions, your treatment of customers, your ability to do your job well, and the direction of your career, to name but a few outcomes, is your most immediate manager.
2. Credibility
If you are not credible in what you know, commitments, actions. Then you would be known as someone that can’t be trusted. In leadership, there has to be a level of trust because no one will follow someone they can’t trust.
3. Values Drive Commitment
You cannot fully commit to something that isn’t important to you-no one can. You can’t fully commit to something that doesn’t fit with whom you are and how you see yourself. To devote the time, expend the energy, and make the sacrifices necessary, know exactly what makes it worth doing.
4. Admiration
The primary reasons for admiration in leaders in leadership positions are positive and fair. No matter what, engage and interact with your employees and make them feel important as they count regardless of your title and status. Get to know your employees on a personal, relatable level. When you walk past your employees, always smile, speak, or ask how their day is going. Versus walking right by your employees, lock eyes and not say one word.
LaToya Larkin, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Chef LaToya Larkin, CCE, is the Program Coordinator of the Culinary Arts Program at Spring High School while being the first African American Female Chef in the district (Spring ISD) in Spring, TX. Her 20 years of expansive knowledge and culinary passion have led to lifetime achievement opportunities. She received her MBA (Nonprofit Management) from Springfield College, BS (Culinary Management) from The Art Institute of Atlanta, and AAS (Culinary Arts) from The Art Institute of Houston. Besides the education field, Chef Larkin operates three businesses that reflect her passions in life. Tamale product line “Black Girl Tamales” of signature fusion tamales, Not Enough Thyme Personal Chef Services, a personal chef/catering business, clothing line Divah Chef Apparel of shirts & aprons, and It’s Thyme 4a Change, is a non-profit organization catering to at-risk youth to mentor and guide while planting the positive seed to exemplify the vast opportunities of culinary. She’s devoted to inspiring the youth to be all they can be so that everyone can connect to eternal love, which is the reason for our existence, and reach their full potential. Sharing her wisdom, knowledge, life experiences, and triumphs commits her to making a difference in the lives of others. She’s happy to embrace the opportunity to take part in the uplifting and happiness of others.
