Elements of Leadership Development: What Contributes to Effective Leadership?

ABSTRACT: An effective leader has the ability to influence an organization at all levels. This paper will describe the roles of the following past association presidents: Mary Adamek (AMTA President, 2001-2003), Cynthia Briggs (AAMT President, 1987-1989), Alicia Clair (NAMT President, 1984-1986), and Barbara Reuer (NAMT President, 1996-1997). Their roles are discussed based on four of the elements of leadership that have been described by a well-known leadership expert, John C. Maxwell. These four elements are influence, empowerment, process, and inner circle. Rather than presenting the view that leaders are a select few, it is the intent of this paper to show that it is possible for anyone to learn to lead and, thereby, positively benefit an organization at all levels. We all experience major personal and professional milestones in our lives. Although different from person to person, these events give us opportunities to reflect back on the journey from where we were then to where we are now. This gives us time to consider who we are, where we started, where we might be going, and who has helped us along the way. I have recently experienced many personal and professional milestones. Professionally, I completed a 3-year term as AMTA President and an 8-year term on the AMTA Board of Directors, coauthored my first music therapy book, and celebrated my 10th anniversary as a music therapy professor at The University of Iowa. Together, these events have been catalysts for my reflection and consideration of what I have done so far and what I want to do next. As I completed my tenure on the AMTA Board of Directors, I began to think about my own leadership in terms of how I became involved in leadership, how I developed leadership skills, and what effect my leadership has had on myself and on others. My AMTA leadership experiences proved to be challenging and rewarding. Although not always easy, these experiences helped me build personal and professional skills that continue to serve me well in almost any situation. But what is involved in leadership? What is a good leader? How do we develop as effective leaders in a volunteer organization? These are some of the questions that may be important to consider as we look to support and nurture our current and future leaders of the association. Essential Elements of Leadership There are abundant resources from which we can learn about leadership skills, including books, DVDs, and online training to name just a few. Many authors profess that the secrets of leadership can be learned in a few lessons or chapters that have broken the process down into an array of principles and laws of leadership; however, it is one thing to read about leadership and yet another to actually practice, take risks, and experience leadership successes and failures. In this paper, I will focus on four of the elements of leadership that have been described by a well-known leadership expert, John C. Maxwell. These four elements are influence, empowerment, process, and inner circle (Maxwell, 1998). All of these are elements that I tried to utilize throughout my association leadership and that I found evident in the work of former leaders in our association. To bring these elements to life, I have chosen to highlight the work of three association leaders with whom I currently share the title of association past-president and current (or former) member of the Midwestern Region: Cynthia Briggs (AAMT President, 1987-1989), Alicia Clair (NAMT President, 1984-1986), and Barbara Reuer (NAMT President, 1996-1997). Influence According to Maxwell (1998), "leadership is influencenothing more, nothing less" (p. 17). Within any organization, hard work is required in order to develop influence with others. This influence is not meant to stifle others' ideas but to encourage others to be involved in the process. Influential leaders get others to participate and contribute to the work of the organization. …