Page 5 - January 2019

P.E.A.R.L.S. OF WISDOM AT FOUNDERS DAY

Daley Tips in Leadership Development

By Deborah C. Thomas, Chair
Leading by Example Leadership Initiative
Through the vision of Chapter President Cassandra E. Brown, Davis, highlighted Soror Daley’s contributions of the statute
the Leading by Example Initiative of the Montgomery (AL) Fortitude and the HBCU Initiative, The Distinguished Professor
Chapter was established in 2017, for the purpose of strength- Endowed Chair, as Delta’s National President over 1975-1979.
ening leaders. “Vision caught – mission realized”. Since its (Soror Daley shared historical information about the vision for
establishment, the Leading by Example Leadership Initiative Fortitude and the collaboration with internal and external stake-
has afforded the chapter the opportunity to empower mem- holders that was required for the realization of the Distin-
bers by providing practical tools of leadership, sharing experi- guished Professor Endowed Chair.)
ences and educating the cohort members on the sorority’s
landscape. ‘LBE’ is invaluable in that the experiences, Through interactive activities and learner-centered exercises,
knowledge, and tools may be transferred to one’s personal or Soror Daley engaged “LBE” and challenged them to high-
professional development”, said Soror Brown when asked re- leveled functions of leadership.
cently to assess the program.
In the words of LBE Cohort 1 Member, Soror LaMecha James,
The first cohort of the Leading by Example Leadership Initia- “LBE Session 6 was an excellent model for how to lead. Soror
tive is living the mission statement* through experiential learn- Daley made clear through interaction that “Do as I say is not
ing, group projects, presentations from national and regional equal to do as I do”. Effective leaders lead by example. “Do as
leaders in Delta, panel presentations, digital learning, case stud- I do is greater than do as I say”!
ies, book studies, and problem solving. In Year Two of the initi-
ative, the slogan, PEARLS: Promoting Excellence And Reper- The Six Pearls of Wisdom that provided leadership notes for
toires for Leaders in the Sorority, is being used to emphasize cohort members and committee members included:
the need for life-long learning in Delta and to enhance/to polish
“precious pearls” throughout a lifetime of commitment to the 1. No matter our differences, there is a way we can all come
principles and ideals of membership. together. There is a way to bind us.
2. Remember the Hedgehog Concept: attain piercing clarity
LBE Session 6 on Thursday, January 10, 2019, was designed that involves passion in what you do, identifies what you do
to explore the concept of “pearls”, using Pearls of Wisdom: best, and drives the organization.
Lessons in Leadership as the theme. 3. Leadership is multi-dimensional -- not linear.
4. You need (we all need) one confidential Soror/friend who
The leadership session was scheduled during the first Found- has your back and who can put you back together when you
ers Observance Month and included a brief review of protocol need comfort.
that was led by LBE Committee Member, Soror Myrtis 5. Co-active leadership is key for effectiveness. Learn how to
C. Ramsey. The session design included six “pearls of wis- lead from the front, from within, from behind, beside, and from
dom” that were presented to the LBE Cohort by the sixteenth the field.
president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Dr. 6. Quietly analyze yourself and your skills for functional and dys-
Thelma Thomas Daley, who also served as the Founders Day functional behaviors.
Observance Speaker for Montgomery Alumnae on Saturday, LBE Session 6 provided a robust lesson in leadership, indeed.
January 12, 2019. How does one measure the height, depth, and breadth of the

Soror Daley’s arrival at the Fortitude Foundation Building on session? The words of LBE Committee Member, Crystal
Thursday, January 10, 2019, was met with broad smiles of ex- Crump, describe the session’s transformational quality well.
citement and jubilant embraces of sisterhood from the LBE
Committee and 22 members of LBE Cohort 1. After Soror Da- It's not often that we have an opportunity to have someone in
our presence who not only has a link to our Founders and our
ley gave a sisterly greeting and hug to each soror present, the Sorority's history, but is also instrumental in leading the Sorori-
evening’s program began with a meditation on “Listen Deeply” ty into our next 100 years. I felt honored to be in her presence
by LBE Committee Member, Soror Cassandra Conway. A brief and to hear her share her Pearls of Wisdom.
introduction of the presenter by LBE Committee, Soror Tyna D.

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