A Bat in the House and Lessons in Leadership

Last night was anything but ordinary. Just as I was about to share some thoughts, an unexpected visitor—yes, a bat—decided to join us. After a brief detour to handle the situation (thanks to a cat and some quick thinking), I returned to reflect on two key topics: the tech challenges with SendFox and a deeper lesson in leadership and communication.

SendFox and the Art of Problem-Solving

Recently, I’ve been assisting the Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO) with their transition to SendFox for their mailing list. While SendFox is wonderfully straightforward and cost-effective, the process wasn’t without its hiccups.

The membership lead noticed that out of 600 people on our list, only 529 were receiving emails. Panic ensued. A mix of user errors and technical oversights was the culprit—typos in email addresses, unconfirmed subscriptions due to a double opt-in requirement, and a domain name that hadn’t been properly validated.

Here’s where the importance of collaboration came into play. I turned to specialized experts from Fiverr—one for domain issues and another who knew SendFox inside out. This team effort helped us resolve the problems, but it also reminded me of a valuable lesson: sometimes, no matter how much you prepare, there will be a human element that’s out of your control.

Leadership: Bridging Gaps and Managing Tensions

Switching gears, this morning’s leadership meeting at the rescue squad brought another important lesson to light. Our leadership team, consisting of the chief, president, and myself (as vice president), faced a challenging discussion.

Feedback had to be delivered to the chief, and it was clear he wasn’t thrilled. Yet, he handled it with grace, a testament to his commitment to improvement.

The conversation made me reflect on the importance of clear, compassionate communication—especially when tensions run high. We also discussed the possibility of reinstating me as lieutenant, a role that would bridge the gap between administrative and operational needs. Despite my initial reservations about my qualifications, it was clear that this move could enhance our team’s effectiveness.

Takeaway: Embrace the Challenges

Whether it’s catching bats, troubleshooting tech, or navigating leadership dynamics, the key is to stay adaptable, seek out the right expertise, and never lose sight of the human element. These experiences reminded me that true leadership isn’t just about making decisions; it’s about fostering collaboration and communication, even when the path forward is challenging.

Wishing you all an effective and communicative week ahead!

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