Thoughts on Leadership from Matt Strickland

Leadership is word that has become engrained in the American lexicon.  It is revered as an ideal, ability and sometimes even an innate gift.  In its simplest form leadership is one’s ability to lead a group of people or organization.  However, there is nothing simple about leadership.  If I asked you to name the qualities of a good leader, I am sure you could reel off several…courage, integrity and humility all come to mind, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.  Regardless of whether you have these qualities and the many more that encapsulate a good leader, leadership is a competency that must be practiced.  Enter Band Together!I love Band Together for many reasons.  The impact it has in the community with our nonprofit partners, the great music that it brings to the Triangle, and all of the amazing people that it seems to pull in and unite with gravity-like force.  Equally as important, Band Together offers folks a learning laboratory for leadership development.  It has become a vehicle that allows people to practice and develop their leadership competency.  I am constantly amazed to watch one-time volunteers transform into great leaders within our organization.  Developing leadership competency is about more than gaining skills, talent and knowledge – an opportunity must be afforded.  At Band Together we not only provide that opportunity, but actively encourage people to become leaders.I hope that you will consider joining the Band Together family.  You will definitely make some good friends, support the best causes in the Triangle, hear some fantastic music and, who knows, you might even become a fantastic leader along the way.- Matt Strickland, Band Together Executive Director