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It has been an immense honor leading SMPS as president. In a position of high visibility and responsibility, I knew my presidency needed purpose and a commitment to continuing to advance our organization. It\u2019s not just my personal and company\u2019s reputation at stake but also the Society\u2019s if we\u2019re not a purpose-driven organization.<\/p>\n
As president-elect, I was often asked, \u201cWhat do you want to do during your presidency?\u201d I would reflect on the three-year commitment made to SMPS and respond, \u201cIt would be successful if we could come out of the pandemic with revitalized focus.\u201d As I move into my new role as past-president, I feel the energy, creativity, and excitement from as we move back into in person events. But, I also see the exhaustion and uncertainty we\u2019re all feeling.<\/p>\n
Understanding my individual purpose was essential to my ability to work with your board to impact the Society\u2019s vision, \u201cBusiness Transformed through Marketing Leadership\u201d. I have embraced a few lessons of wisdom in the past year and hope that you connect with them as I did.<\/p>\n
I learned to observe my thoughts without judgment. My natural stance was \u201cI have an opinion about this\u201d but realized so did everyone else. Everyone in the world wants to be heard. When you stop to listen to others, reflect on your position, and take time to mull it over, you hear yourself differently. Listening is hard work that we continually must practice. By observing and actively listening we create opportunities we may not have noticed.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve grown personally and professionally over the past year through the wonderful relationships developed with the board and the staff. The diversity of thought shared as we worked together to support the network of chapters and members across the U.S. and Canada has been inspiring. Considering the perspectives and needs of our members regardless of my point of view and staying true to our mission, vision, and brand isn\u2019t always easy, but it creates opportunity for reflection, and at times, requires a course correction.<\/p>\n
When it comes to reflection, it isn\u2019t only about our minds. Our health and well-being are integral to our success. The reality is that we are sandwiched between worlds with competing responsibilities. Add in the accelerated pace of technological advancements and 24\/7 communications cycles and it\u2019s easy to become distracted. Continuously living in this state can leave us tired and unfocused. It may seem clich\u00e9 but give yourself air first.<\/p>\n
For me, it meant changing my routine significantly. It also meant being truly present for my commitments. My favorite saying often comes to mind: \u201cYou can\u2019t boil the ocean\u201d but you can make small impacts that add up quickly. Having visibility into all the chapters and SMPS members and the steps they\u2019re making in the industry has been a gift. Collectively, this organization is as strong as it has ever been. Working together and understanding that the success of SMPS is not the impact of one person, but the unselfish steps of many that continue to serve as our cornerstone.<\/p>\n
Being an active SMPS volunteer is a gift and an opportunity to give and share. Craig Galati\u2019s leadership presentation during our Chapter Leadership Symposium left me with an impactful thought that I\u2019d often taken for granted: We serve the needs of others.<\/p>\n
The Society\u2019s volunteers are highly engaged as compared to other professional associations. We\u2019re proud that our community has a heart that\u2019s committed to the success of the A\/E\/C industry, which has been especially apparent during the pandemic. Volunteer leaders worked diligently to ensure that business continued. New professionals have come into the industry, and we were prepared to welcome them with open arms, resources, and opportunities to be impactful in their positions. Long-time members have raised their hands with renewed dedication. SMPS Fellows are gathering and determining how to best serve the needs of our next generation. A common theme of the greats? They all impacted someone else\u2019s professional life in some way.<\/p>\n
So as my SMPS presidency comes to an end, I\u2019m reflecting on the wonderful relationships I\u2019ve developed. I\u2019m proud of the board and HQ staff\u2019s purposeful efforts to transform our organization and professions. I\u2019m proud of our members and the dedication and commitment you\u2019ve made to revitalize our focus. And I\u2019m humbled by the support from family and friends who\u2019ve helped me balance the year.<\/p>\n
Thank you for allowing me to experience it. Hope to see you soon.<\/p>\n
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