Transformative leadership | Cheri Mason

Theresa Carpenter Speakers | Women of the Military
03/11/2024 1:53pm 4 minute read

This Stories of Service podcast's 108th episode features Cheryl Mason, a transformative leader who has built her distinguished career over a lifetime, making positive impacts routinely and persevering through adversity.

Cheri Mason talks about her leadership journey, the importance of accountability, and understanding generational differences in the workplace. She shares her insights on how to manage the expectations and needs of different generations within a team, and the importance of building relationships based on trust.

Throughout the episode, they delve into various aspects of leadership, such as the importance of accountability, understanding generational differences, and the need for leaders to build trust and relationships with their team members. They also touch on the challenges of managing a mission when team members have various personal needs and expectations, and how leaders can effectively navigate these issues to rally everyone around a common goal.

Meet the Guest - Cheri Mason

Cheri Mason who is a transformative leader and has been part of various leadership discussions throughout the episode. Cheri is known for her understanding of the importance of accountability, the ability to recognize generational differences, and her skill in building trust and relationships with team members. She has faced the challenges of managing a mission with team members who have various personal needs and expectations and has effectively navigated these issues to rally everyone around a common goal.

Cheri discusses her transition from a high-profile job to her current role, emphasizing that transition is never a one-time process but involves constant adaptation to changing life circumstances. She also shares her experience writing a book that addresses the generational differences in the workplace, and how she hopes to continue her contributions through speaking engagements and consulting.

As the conversation moves on, Cheri shares her advocacy for suicide awareness, urging listeners to check in on people and support those who may be struggling. She also acknowledges the feedback from viewers, appreciating their engagement and acknowledging some criticisms.

Cheri Mason's story and insights provide valuable lessons on leadership, accountability, and the importance of understanding and catering to the needs of different generations within a team.

🔑Key Takeaways:

✅Leadership is about understanding the needs and expectations of team members.

✅Transition is an ongoing process that requires constant adaptation.

✅Building relationships based on trust is crucial in a team.

✅It's important to understand generational differences in the workplace.

✅Challenges can be seen as stepping stones for growth.

💡Discussion Points:

The shift in leadership styles: The text discusses how accountability and directive leadership, sometimes perceived as dictatorship leadership, are not impactful anymore, especially with the younger generation. How can leadership styles evolve to cater to this shift?
Aversion to traditional work structures: Younger generations have been observed to have an aversion to traditional work structures and expect things like telework and work-life balance. How can leaders manage these expectations?
Generational differences and similarities: The text discusses how different generations have different expectations and environments. However, at the core, all people want to matter and make an impact. How can leaders bridge these generational gaps while catering to these universal needs?
The role of accountability in leadership: Leaders need to hold themselves accountable. How can this accountability be cultivated, and how can it contribute to building trust within a team?
The importance of personal connections: The text emphasizes the importance of knowing your team members beyond their professional roles. How can these connections be fostered, and how do they contribute to team morale and performance?
The impact of leadership: Leaders not only impact their employees' professional lives but also their personal lives. What responsibilities do leaders have in this regard?
The power of acknowledgment and appreciation: The text discusses how acknowledging people's efforts and celebrating their impacts can foster a more outward-thinking mindset. How can this be implemented in various organizational structures?
The role of mistakes in growth: The text emphasizes that mistakes and setbacks are a part of life and can propel individuals forward. How can this perspective be cultivated in a professional environment?
The importance of suicide awareness: The text brings up the topic of suicide awareness and the importance of checking in on people. How can such awareness be increased, and what role can organizations play in supporting mental health?