“Dream Courageously!”

How would you define your leadership style?

Once a week, my church meets virtually for Bible study. Typically, in Bible study you would read and study a scripture or a sermon. But sometimes my church reads through a book selection and we discuss it during Bible study. We are currently reading “Navigating The Journey: Lessons for Longevity in Ministry” written by Bishop Andy C. Lewter. In his book, Bishop Lewter uncovers different leadership styles and shares tips and reminders on becoming better leaders – in ministry or in other areas of life.

So that leads me to my question: how would you define your leadership style? Google says there are many different kinds of leadership styles lol but I think some of the main ones we hear and see are:

• autocratic,
• bureaucratic,
• transactional,
• democratic,
• laissez-faire,
• charismatic,
• transformational,
• and servant.

I like to think I have a democratic, transformational, and servant kind of leadership. I also think my leadership style changes depending on what and who I’m leading. How I lead/supervise interns at work, for example, may look different than how I lead the dance ministry at my church. How I lead in my community and within various community organizations will also look different.

I honestly never thought that I would ever be recognized for how I serve the Athens community in my various endeavors. I definitely didn’t think I would receive any kind of public recognition or award for it!

In January of this year, I was informed that I was nominated for and selected as one of the 10 under 40 Athens Gamechangers! 🎉 Athens Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes 10 leaders under the age of 40 who are movers and shakers in the Athens community.

Not only was I selected, but I also got to do a whole photoshoot! Yall know I love to be in front of a camera! 😆 This experience and opportunity were such a vibe and extremely memorable. It was also completely unexpected, and it reminded me to serve endlessly, lead in excellence, be kind in all that I do, and dream courageously because I never know who I’m impacting. I never know how my efforts and work will encourage the people around me to do something new or challenging. I never know how my journey will empower the little brown girls behind me who have problems believing in themselves and their dreams!

We had the photoshoot and we were featured in a magazine! I felt like a real celebrity! 🥰 The moment culminated with a luncheon where we formally recognized, shared a little about ourselves and our background through responses from friends and family members, and got to celebrate the other Gamechangers in the room.

The love and support I’ve received from my friends, my circle, my colleagues, my boss, my church, my community, and my family has been mind blowing and humbling. I appreciate all of you and this opportunity!! 💜

Now I’m going to flood you with photos and a video from the luncheon! 🤗

Dare to dream courageously friends!

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Moni Jay, Off the Record