Leadership means leading by example

Lisa Meredith is an inspiring leader who brings a wealth of experience to her role. She serves as the executive director for the Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative (MnCCC). Lisa is also a certified facilitator through the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) Technology of Participation (ToP). She also does some consulting and volunteer work on the side. In 2020, Lisa published her workbook An Audacious Plan: Strategic Planning for Artists, Creative, Visual Planners, Solo Practitioners, and YOU to help creators to establish themselves and define a path.

We asked Lisa about her approach to leadership and how to grow future leaders.

Let's start with an introduction! What is the Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative (MnCCC)?

We are a joint powers organization that contracts on behalf of local government: counties, cities, state agencies, tribal nations, and other joint powers. We manage 15 software user groups based on the contract we put in place. We coordinate user groups, provide networking, and training opportunities.

MnCCC has a small staff, only four of us. But, we have a large volunteer base. We recognize approximately 125 volunteer officers each year, plus more volunteers that sit on committees providing valuable input, training, sharing, and testing. We are lucky that our volunteers work with us as part of their local government job.

We also have nearly 50 contracts that we manage on behalf of our members. Through those contracts we manage partnerships with our vendors providing software, service, and training.

What was your journey in leadership?

Prior to this job, which I have been in for 23 years, I was a database specialist and postal expert for a direct marketing firm. I was in the role of Project Management and Product Management. This provided me with technical skills and the management skill of leading teams that didn’t report directly to me. I also have an MBA in Nonprofit Management and Public Policy and a Master in Leadership with a concentration in Facilitation, both from Saint Thomas University.

How do you define leadership, especially in such a collaborative environment?

Leadership is communication and leading by example more than anything else. I hope to inspire others towards the benefit of working together and community. That by sharing information with others, you also learn and grow yourself. And, sometimes it takes making the hard stand to make sure that the process and involvement is fair and encourages participation from others.

Leaders often coach future leaders. What qualities do you encourage for future leaders?

More than anything it would be kindness and integrity. It also requires self confidence and an ongoing willingness to learn. You may not always have the answer in the room, but often the answer is in the room if you are willing to work with others and listen.

What advice would you give someone who wants to step into a leadership role?

Take care of yourself and set expectations for everyone. You have to be able to delegate and to set some boundaries. You can’t possibly do it all yourself, nor should you. There are many things that others are better than you at accomplishing…delegate to them and support them in their work.

Leaders often need to balance different skillsets, such as the four qualities of IT leaders. How do you balance your time?

I think Strategic can be one of the hardest ones to change. You need to take time for yourself to read, learn, and share. The Hands-on tends to be learning new things and helping teach someone you will eventually delegate a task to. Financial should be delegated with a regular summary or review (monthly and quarterly) to help with strategic and team planning; and to create budgets. Interpersonal can really be a big part of team building and supporting individual team members.

A strong team can make all of the difference in being a successful leader! And, being a good leader can really create a strong team.

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Thanks to Lisa for sharing her leadership experiences with us! For more information about the Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative, visit their website at MnCCC.gov. Lisa's website at Audacious Monkey also has more information about her consulting and facilitation work.