Sept 25, 2013
Eric -
Thought you might find this of interest.
Best regards
Paul Belford
Did I meet Paul somewhere, at one of the many conferences I attend? Did I hear him speak and was so moved by his presentation that I bought his book and had him sign it at the author’s table in the foyer? I doubt it. More likely, he sent it to me unsolicited, hoping that I would be intrigued and book him as a speaker at one of my own conferences.
No matter. What, if anything, did I find of interest? Just this:
Imagine yourself at your 25th college reunion. It opens at the student union and there’s a whole bunch of folks around by the time you arrive. You’re walking in, cool, hair right, looking for some classmates you’ve arranged to meet when up comes someone you recognize, but haven’t a clue as to the name.
This comes near the end of Belford’s book, after he has walked the reader through numerous bugaboos of the association industry and the essential elements of being an effective staff executive.
You remember thinking back once that you might have been close friends if you had been in the same carpool or dorm… No matter now, What’s the name? You smile and nod. Awkward is how you feel as you hear your name spoken. “Pat!” (That’s you, you’re Pat.) You smile. Without the name, in the game of social encounter, you’re already down one. And of course there’s that look of success. Down two? “So, Pat, tell me, how goes it? Life’s been good?”
Issues vs. services, Board vs. staff-driven, benefits to membership, networking, organizational profile, industry/profession life cycle, Board governance, membership composition, culture, member/staff relations, mission vs. momentum, mission alignment, resource relationships, vision statement, membership engagement, planning. Belford has talked you through all of these issues and, seeing that this is a handbook, has tried to lead you through several exercises to better understand what they mean for the organization you’re leading.
Now what do you say to that. ‘Well, actually, I just spent the entire remainder of my most recent bankruptcy on the ticket to fly out here and tell everyone all about it.’? Easy, now. None of that… The name, What’s the name? Stalling, you come back with “Great. Really great. Looking pretty good yourself…” That’s it, take the initiative, that’s the rule. The name will come. “And what’ve you been up to?”
Belford is weaving a story here. Not sure where he’s going, but he titled this short chapter “Personal Identity” and he gave us a warning in his short introduction. It may be a little off-beat, but we may find it useful.
“Hollywood.” A big grin, but fun. No bragging, here, just fun, pleasant. You work on your smile, good eye contact, that’s the rule, keep it moving and the name will come, be positive…
“Private banking of a sort. We finance movies and advise the stars on what to do with all their money. Tons of fun, tons.” A smile and nod. “And you? An Accounting major, right?”
Where is Belford going with this?
You’ve been the CEO of the American Widget Manufacturers Association for four good years, and loving every minute of it… and the name comes, Leigh Smith! That’s the name. Sat next to you in Cost Accounting. Not a bad sort at all, really. Your mind flashes back to the mini-rally Leigh organized for your soccer team as it boarded the bus for the conference finals senior year. A big win, the biggest.
You’re relaxing now, an easy breath taken, feeling good, more memories coming, you’re among friends … and Leigh’s one of them. A smile comes to your face and you’re home again … this is why you came…
And for Leigh’s question? Well, there are two ways you can go--
--”Widgets, I’m in widgets,” or
--”I’m an association executive.”
Much of a difference? Could be. Could be huge.
What’s your answer?
It’s fair to say that this is the only chapter in Belford’s book that was of interest to me … and it’s something I think he should have led with, not saved for near the end. Any association executive looking for a “personal guide to leadership and career fulfillment” has to absolutely start with the mindset that they are first and foremost an association executive, not “in widgets.”
Indeed, the rest of Belford’s handbook will make little sense to anyone who thinks of themselves as in the industry that their association represents. He might as well put the question on page one, with the instruction that if you say anything other than “I’m an association executive,” you can be spared from reading any further.
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This post first appeared on Eric Lanke's blog, an association executive and author. You can follow him on Twitter @ericlanke or contact him at eric.lanke@gmail.com.
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