Serving Second at an HBCU - the Joys and Challenges!
Mrs. Ava Willis-Barksdale shares her insights on the unique challenges and rewards of serving in a second chair leadership role. She discusses the duality of being a second, the importance of humility, and the joy found in supporting others. Ava emphasizes the need for ownership in leadership, navigating feelings of invisibility, and the significance of having a supportive community. She offers practical advice for both aspiring leaders and those currently in second chair roles, highlighting the value of exposure and continuous growth.
Takeaways
Being in a second chair role has both pros and cons.
Managing up, down, and across is a unique challenge.
Finding joy in small wins is essential for leadership.
Humility is a strength, not a weakness in leadership.
Ownership is crucial, even for things outside your control.
Navigating feelings of invisibility is common in leadership.
Having a strong prayer life can help in tough situations.
Exposure to different organizations enhances leadership skills.
Writing down ideas helps clarify and communicate vision.
Continuous growth is vital in a supportive role.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Serving Second Leadership
01:12 The Duality of Serving Second
02:53 Navigating the Challenges of Second Chair Roles
05:36 Finding Joy in Leadership
08:25 The Importance of Humility in Leadership
11:02 Taking Ownership as a Second
12:14 Experiencing Invisibility in Leadership
15:08 Navigating Ambition and Invisibility
20:32 Bringing Vision to the Table
26:02 Empowering Associates as a Leader
29:27 Continuous Growth in Leadership
32:11 Advice for New Leaders
33:39 Encouragement for Those Serving Second
