By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Los Alamos

I know about a few local … I’m going to say businesses, non-profits or organizations (B,N,O) … experiencing a crisis of leadership and I wanted to register some thoughts.

I say BNO because my goal is not to throw any singular entity under the bus, but struggle is afoot. I do hope people unite to engage in potential ways to solve issues in this community.

I’ll start with my philosophy about what makes a great leader. The first is that if the custodian urgently becomes ill and out sick for a few days and the leader is too good to clean the toilet, he/she is not a good leader.

The second is that a good leader should spend time doing every position under them, so they can relate and understand the staff/volunteers’ experience every day.

A leader must be kind to every committee, customer, member, co-worker, staff/board member, or person of a governing agency.

If you have a problem, see if the B,N,O has a board of directors, a committee, ombudsman, or department that oversees complaints. Do they have bylaws or managing principles or philosophies available? Is there a lawyer you could ask or a Better Business Bureau? Is there a public forum to register a formal complaint?

One person should not be able to take a B,N,O down simply by deciding they can do everything they want without question. We have places that have operated for 20 or more years successfully and one person in charge is suddenly sinking morale.

How does one protect clients, volunteers, or employees who are hurting and not fear retribution or seek recompense?

People need to come together, request a meeting, and invite others who can offer a new path or road for the future. Try to find others you think are feeling the same way. If no one will listen, look to see what the next level of authority is above. Is it a state or county issue, or is there a national governing entity that uses the name of a parent organization?

If no one knows there is a problem, how can it ever be solved?

Don’t let Los Alamos lose the places people have worked hard to make thrive because of a crisis of leadership.

Vote with your feet and your wallet to make the point.