A511.6.3.RB.Module 6 - A Leader From the Past
Reflecting on the past leaders, I have encountered or worked with, one particular leader that stands out is Dr.
Trudie Kibbe Reed. Dr. Reed was the
fifth University President of the “Great” Bethune-Cookman University. She was also the first woman President after
B-CU’s founder Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. Under
Dr. Reed’s leadership and initiative in the launching of B-CU’s Master’s Degree
Program in Transformative Leadership, Bethune-Cookman University attained its university
status in 2007. Dr. Reed’s leadership
style was charismatic, transformative and her leadership was student-centered.
As a charismatic leader, Dr. Reed stimulated the enthusiasm and commitment
of the faculty, staff, and students of B-CU.
She did this by enunciating the significance of her vision for the university,
its stakeholders, and the community. Dr.
Reed reactivated Dr. Bethune’s vision of eradicating hopelessness and
desolation in pursuit of education through community outreach programs and
civic engagement. Through her strong convictions,
self-confidence, and excellent public-speaking skills, she rallied the faculty,
staff, students and the community to a commitment to excellence, enhancement of
academic excellence, service to humanity and placing others needs first before
their own.
Observing and witnessing the transformative leadership style of Dr. Trudie
Kibbe Reed was very inspiring and exhilarating.
She created a culture of a caring community not only within the university
campus but the Daytona Beach and its neighboring community as a whole. Dr. Reed was very focused and attentive to
the needs of the school’s faculty, staff, and students. When the student body was not performing
academically to par, she would visit every residential house, having an open
dialogue with the students, listening to their needs and concerns. She scheduled a monthly conversation with
faculty and staff seeking for their recommendations on enhancing the
University’s academics or operational processes and at times, to simply have
lunch with students, faculty, and staff at the Cafeteria. She led with her good heart and spiritual
strength yet shows toughness when toughness is required. She was loved, trusted, and respected during
her tenure as President of Bethune-Cookman University.
Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed’s paradigmatic and visionary directions are one of the
many reasons that transformed my vision as a leader. The love and dedication to her work, to the community
and her followers, encapsulate the essence of transformation and unity that empowers
the people with whom she connects. Dr. Reed
had the ability to inspire and motivate us, her supporters, to work harder, be trustworthy
and always aim for excellence with high ethics.
With Dr. Reed’s leadership, I, together with my work colleagues, were
positively challenged to be creative and innovative. She has always commented to the students, faculty
and staff that sky is the limit to what we can accomplish not only to our benefits
but most importantly to the benefits of others.
Three years has passed since my leader-follower relationship with Dr. Trudie
Kibbe Reed, and I still practice the work ethics and innovative thinking that she
had passed on to us. Dr. Reed had empowered
me to trust my instinct and believe in my decision-making skills. There were many occasions that we met in the lobby
of the hospital where I am currently employed and not one moment where she failed
to compliment me on my excellent performance.
She never stopped thanking me and letting me know how she appreciated my
loyalty, respect, trust, and real leadership.
I can honestly say that Dr. Reed has a great influence on my leadership
style.
References:
Trudie Kibbe Reed, Biography (n.d.). Retrieved
from: http://www.cookman.edu/about_bcu/administration/past_presidents/tkReed_bio.html
Yukl, Gary (2012), Leadership in the organization (8th ed.). Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice Hall
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