From Katherine Harrington, President & CEO | West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about influence, inspiration, and impact. Over the years, I’ve developed my own leadership philosophy, one that is grounded in both my personal journey and my professional purpose at the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. I call it MERCI Leadership.
MERCI is more than an acronym. It represents the values I live out every day, guiding how I lead, how I serve, and how I show gratitude for the incredible team around me.
M – Modeling
As a leader, I believe my actions should set the tone for the organization. I work hard, innovate with vision, and collaborate with others to achieve excellence. My behavior is what I want my team to model—because leadership begins with example, not directives.
E – Empowering
The greatest gift I can give my employees is the freedom and confidence to thrive. At the Chamber, I empower our team to be self-sufficient, to explore creative solutions, and to bring new ideas that enhance our programming. When employees are trusted to lead, they rise higher than anyone thought possible.
R – Responsive
A leader’s availability can make or break momentum. I make it a priority to respond quickly to questions, feedback, and ideas so that no team member feels “stuck” or unheard. By being responsive, I remove barriers and help others succeed more fully.
C – Collaborative
No one leads alone. Every decision impacts the team, so decisions should be made together. At the Chamber, collaboration fuels buy-in, creativity, and stronger outcomes. When every voice is valued, the entire organization wins.
I – Inspiring
True leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about inspiring others to believe in themselves and in the work they do. MERCI leadership is about creating an environment where people feel fulfilled, valued, and motivated to make a difference in the world.
Why MERCI?
I chose the word MERCI because of my background as a ballerina. French was a language of discipline, grace, and beauty in my training—and merci means thank you. To me, this philosophy is also a daily reminder to express gratitude.
Every day, I say merci to my team. Merci for showing up with passion. Merci for building programs that change lives. Merci for being not just employees, but leaders in their own right.
At the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, we don’t just serve a community—we model, empower, respond, collaborate, and inspire. Together, we live MERCI.