A640.4.4.RB_MedleyKim Looking Back

            My days as a Deputy Clerk for the Flagler County Clerk of Court were relatively short lived. I was hired in November of 2006 and by January of 2009 I had been offered an opportunity that offered me more of a challenge. This week's essay assignment gave me the chance to relive and rethink a portion of my time as a clerk, one that I had not realized how much I had enjoyed. As do many memories, I am reminded of a song, "I Hope You Dance". That's how I view opportunities, especially those that involve leadership. As the lyrics go, "if you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance"! 

            It began with being chosen as a meeting facilitator and ended with the development of a comprehensive work flow plan that led to an offer to head the Probate division. More often than not, reflections lead to those what if questions and the never-ending should have, could have, and would have scenarios. Many of those thoughts re-emerged as I recalled the details for the case study presentation. Regardless of the emotions, I am forever grateful that I chose to dance when given the chance. I helped fourteen women get past petty issues such as empty paper trays, dirty coffee pots, and jammed copy machines and go on to expand their working knowledge of their positions with the Clerk’s office. I was able to present concerns to management so they could become more sensitive when bringing in new directors. Now, I believe they seek to promote from within whenever possible. Doing simple things, such as buying the group gift for birthdays, stopping at Publix early in the mornings to pick up birthday cakes and balloons, only help to add to the sense of unity and family that still exists today. Senior clerks are more comfortable and less threatened when it comes to training a new clerk; they now realize this helps them with their own workload and improves the overall work flow.

            The work flow process was quite simple in nature. It merely sought to include everyone with the process, with the understanding some clerks still had specifically assigned duties such as foreclosure sales, processing appellate cases, preparing for court, and taking care of specialty areas like Child Support. The plan expanded learning. Before the plan, a Deputy Clerk for Probate could not sign a certification stamp for a Circuit Civil clerk. This didn’t make any sense. By expanding the authority, Deputy Clerks became aware of inter-departmental processes. Clerks were required to scan documents in addition to their normal work schedule. By discussing the problem with Records Management, that department took over the task of scanning.

            Many times, I felt myself sliding up and down that development continuum outlined by Rowe and Guerrero (2013). Direction became easier as I developed written procedures for each task. Coaching and supporting are natural for me. I think I have been doing this for most of my life. By relying on a tried and true philosophy and incorporating a little bit humor, I was rewarded by a noticeable change in the environment, comments from the public that took notice of the change, praise from a former supervisor, and respect from a former boss who still messages me seeking suggestions. Leadership is not passive; it’s as active as dancing. The more you dance, the lighter you become on your feet, the rhythm becomes natural, and the sense of accomplishment becomes a cherished memory.