Hi everyone,
This is an update to let you know that the leads team has met and made a decision regarding the leadership structure for Beman. We’ve agreed to implement a rotating leadership model.
We believe this approach will foster greater engagement, help nurture the next generation of leaders within our community, and ensure that our leaders maintain a high level of active involvement in the project.
Here’s what we’ve agreed upon, based on the proposal discussed:
- Two-Year Terms: The three Beman leads will serve two-year terms.
- Non-Consecutive Terms: Leads will not serve consecutive terms, unless exceptional circumstances arise.
- Staggered Terms: The terms will be staggered to ensure continuity, with a new lead joining each year.
- My term will conclude this year.
- @InbalL’s term will conclude next year.
- @Jeff-Garland’s term will conclude the year after that.
To guide this selection and future transitions, we’ve also outlined some key leadership criteria we believe are essential. Of course, no one will perfectly embody all of these (we certainly don’t!), but they serve as valuable considerations:
- Active and passionate about the project’s mission and principles.
- Reliable and does what they say they’re going to do.
- Good at group discussions: follows the conversation well, doesn’t go on rants, doesn’t dominate the conversation, and doesn’t put people down. Speaks clearly, concisely, and convincingly. Ability to “read the room”.
- Good at building consensus: seeks to understand rather than convince, happily changes position when reason dictates, asks questions, motivated by bringing everyone along.
- Knows how to take charge: can productively guide group discussions, shuts down counter-productive behavior gracefully, can take a stand when it is important.
- Political prowess: built respect among peers, understands and navigates the different motivations at play, ability to remain calm when a decision is needed in uncertain terrain.
- Nurturing: an ability and passion for upskilling others on the team. A coach. Someone that people go to for advice.
- Humility: Knows their limitations, admits failure, and readily relies on others to fill in knowledge/skill gaps.
We’re enthusiastic about this change and believe it will strengthen the Beman project for the future. We’ll keep you updated as we determine timelines and who will carry the torch next.
Best regards,
David (On behalf of @leads)