Leadership is the wise use of power. And power is the capacity to translate intention into reality and sustaining it. Leadership is establishing direction, aligning people, motivating, inspiring and communicating.

Leadership, a critical management skill, is the ability to motivate people toward a common goal. It isn’t enough to have great thoughts, one must have the courage to let the words be heard. Leaders feel an obligation and a calling to deliver solutions that are distinct and different than those of the past.

Leaders are driven; leaders are visionary; leaders create and shape our future. Leaders are passionate and use that passion to address and face every challenge. Leaders have a special ability to make others listen, think and act. That ability lives in each of us; we all have various levels of influence which translates into leadership.

A leader is unassuming, unselfish and empathetic, thereby earning respect. A true leader knows the way, goes the way and then shows the way. To become a leader does not require exceptional intelligence but rather exceptional personal commitment. A leader takes no credit but somehow credit never leaves them.

Leaders are accountable, competent and dependable; driven by dedication, discipline and determination. Leaders are passionate about community, its people and opening doors of opportunity. And yes, sometimes a true leader actually follows!

Specific principals I have adhered to:

• Character - encompassing honesty, integrity and just being a good moral person
• Competence – encompassing not only intelligence and experience but also common sense
• Compassion - humble, sincere and sensitive to needs
• Community minded - dedicated and willing to serve the community.

Deep in the crevices of one’s inner being there is a powerful person, a risk-taker, a barrier-breaker, a change–maker - A LEADER!

Adelante Juntos,

Maria Monreal-Cameron
President and CEO