PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Calling All Leaders! By Tom Archambault, AASP-MN President
Throughout my life I have been given a number of opportunities to serve in leadership roles. Some roles I sought, while others I was given as everyone else turned down the opportunity. Regardless of how I ended up in these roles, they have all felt awkward at the start. Questions swirled in my head like, “Why did they think I could do this?” or “Who would follow me?” I think both questions, and all like them, are only natural given my Minnesotan, middle-class, blue-collar upbringing! When it comes to leadership, it is important to remember a quote from Vince Lombardi: “Leaders are made, they are not born.” No one came into this world as a leader. I would guess that most people reading wouldn’t even see themselves as a leader. You may be thinking “I’m a shop owner, not a leader!” However, I challenge you on that. Do you have an employee? If your answer is ‘yes’, then you’re a leader! Leaders come in all different shapes and sizes, with all different types of strengths and weaknesses. One leader might blaze a trail for others to follow, while another leader might stand behind, encouraging others to pick
the best path. Neither is right and neither is wrong. I believe an effective leader is continually asking questions, learning and growing. At the last board meeting the membership tally for the Alliance was 669. That means within this organization there are at least 669 leaders! This is why I invite you to attend the 2022 Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference. There is the potential to meet up to 668 other leaders! (That’s right…I’m asking every member to come to this event.) Please join us April 7 for the 2022 Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference. The day will be filled with great speakers, peer-to-peer roundtable discussions and industry specific presentations from nationally renowned trainers. The day will be capped off with a vendor showcase and happy hour. It’s a great day to step outside of the shop, connect with your peers and sharpen your leadership skills. Just remember as author and business consultant, Ken Blanchard once said, “None of us is as smart as all of us.” I look forward to seeing you in April!
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AASP-MN News
