Role of Scientific Societies in Identifying and Training Scientists for Leadership Positions

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Role of Scientific Societies in Identifying
and Training Scientists for Leadership Positions
Catherine ORiordan AGU Society Activities
Manager
Biocomplexity LWI/CC Workshop 4 Oct 2003
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Definition
Leadership is the ability to develop a vision
that motivates others to move with a
passion toward common goals
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Leaders Tell People

• Who we are as a community (Values)
• Where we are going (Goals)
• What it will feel like (Imagery)
• How we will get there (Plan)
• What you need to do (Commitment)

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Management is the ability to organize resources
and coordinate the execution of tasks necessary
to reach a goal in a timely and cost effective
manner
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Term Differences

• Volunteers execute tasks
• Chairmen (managers) deploy programs
• Leaders inspire mission-enhancing change

Points worth remembering
1. These are not mutually exclusive roles 2. You
can only stand so much leadership
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Mission

• AGU is a worldwide scientific community that
  advances, through unselfish cooperation in
  research, the understanding of Earth and space
  for the benefit of humanity.
• The mission of GSA is to advance the geosciences,
  to enhance the professional growth of its
  members, and to promote the geosciences in the
  service of humankind.

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Mission

• The purpose of ASLO is to foster a diverse,
  international scientific community that creates,
  integrates and communicates knowledge across the
  full spectrum of aquatic sciences, advances
  public awareness and education about aquatic
  resources and research, and promotes scientific
  stewardship of aquatic resources for the public
  interest.

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Mission

• The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is a
  non-partisan, nonprofit organization of
  scientists founded in 1915 to
  
• promote ecological science by improving
  communication among ecologists
• raise the public's level of awareness of the
  importance of ecological science
• increase the resources available for the conduct
  of ecological science and
• ensure the appropriate use of ecological science
  in environmental decision making by enhancing
  communication between the ecological community
  and policy-makers.

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Why are volunteers and leaders so important to
scientific societies?

• Greatly expand the intellectual resources of the
  society
• Provide the backbone of the society
• Create ownership for the society and scientific
  field

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Motivation Levels
Policy Maker Activity Leader Contributor Helper Pa
rticipant Reader Loyalist Symbolist Oblivious Marg
inal
Board Member Committee Chair Committee
Member Performs one task Attends events Follows
from afar Support the cause Values
appearances Thinks is licensure Looking for the
exit
Point of Entry
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Generic Motives

• Generate/acquire information
• Remove barriers, resolve problems
• Altruism
• Esteem (self and profession)
• Instrumentality, advancement

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Motives of Young Scientists

• The program appeals for scientific societies
  motivate new members
• explore career options
• work with others to forge new research
  directions
• peer review the work of others to help determine
  meaningful advancements
• cultivate relationships with elected officials
  and advocate on behalf of the profession

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Generic Needs of a Volunteer

• A manageable task
• A task that matches motivation
• Clear instructions
• Sense of mission-related purpose
• Reasonable deadlines
• Adequate training
• A sense of support
• Right information
• Opportunity to give feedback
• Appreciation

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Leadership pathways
Publications
Meetings
Outreach
reviewer
Session convener
Student paper judge
Assoc. editor
Program committee
Communicate with elected reps
editor
Meetings committee
Policy committee
Committee chair
Section officer
Union officer
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Judging student papers
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Congressional Fellow/Mass Media luncheon
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Pathway Analysis

• Identify the paths volunteers take in moving from
  initial participation activities to top
  leadership positions
• Identify key commitment points when volunteers
  see themselves on a leadership track
• Analyze pathway points for their leadership
  development value and enhancement potential

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Leadership pathways
Publications
Meetings
Outreach
reviewer
Session convener
Student paper judge
Assoc. editor
Program committee
Communicate with elected reps
editor
Meetings committee
Policy committee
Committee chair
Section officer
Union officer
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To identify potential leaders

• Positions held by current leaders in their
  pathway to the top
• Epiphany points when their commitment hit that
  higher level
• Profile the motives or values they associate with
  in explaining their commitment

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System Enhancements

• State-of-the-art training conference
• Mentoring assignments by position
• Expanded manuals, support materials
• Decentralized, on-going strategic planning
• Explicit succession plan

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Leadership Conference Goals
To provide leadership training that helps
participants become competent in guiding the
society toward the common vision of the
scientific field and their own individual
leadership goals. To provide leadership
training that enhances the participants
contributions to their employer and their field,
making them better scientific leaders. To
identify future society leaders for a pathway plan
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Leadership conference topics

• effective leadership
• determining your personal leadership style
• attracting new members
• building a budget.
• strategic planning
• strategic thinking,
• facilitating groups,

• running effective meetings,
• meeting constituent expectations,
• negotiating skills,
• presentation skills,
• managing time,
• motivating volunteers
• managing productive committees

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Success factors for new leaders

• Strong existing leadership/mentoring.
• Growing commitment to the mission.
• Adequate staff support and resources.
• Understanding the connection between society
  procedures and benefits to participants.

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Appreciation.