Abraham Lincoln once said, “Whatever you are, be a good one.” I think my Grandpa was listening, because whether we were washing dishes, mowing the lawn or playing games, he always pushed us to do our very best and feel a sense of pride about how we performed.
In hindsight, President Lincoln and my Grandpa were focusing as much (or more) on the soft skills that drive success versus the specific skill itself. There are so many ways to develop skills like conflict resolution, team work, communication and collaboration outside of your day-to-day job. One way is through board service.
Giving your time to an organization you’re passionate about will do more than make you feel good. It’s a training ground to work on your skills as a leader. Here are some things that you can gain from getting involved:
A network you can rely on throughout your career. You’ll come across people from all sectors and points in their careers. It’s a great opportunity to get to know others who you probably wouldn’t meet otherwise. Another great way to expand your network is our leadership programs. We are kicking off two this month: Leadership Denver and Access Denver. These programs bring together people from across sectors and industries to build their leadership skills and networks.
An openness to new ideas. There’s so much to be learned from people who see the world differently. Board service is one way you can meet people who share your passion but not necessarily your background. It’s the perfect way to invite other views into your life and be able to learn and grow professionally.
Expanded skills like consensus building and conflict resolution. As a member of a board of directors you will examine issues from finance to policy to personnel, and many times you will find not everyone on your board is going to agree. But, it’s the perfect situation to learn how to find the right answer. Successful board members learn to listen, synthesize and find common ground on these issues.
A better sense of humor. Knowing how and when to relieve tension is a skill. Great board members can help reach agreement and reduce conflict through a well-developed sense of humor. Laughing at ourselves is often a great way to start using humor. (And, you all know we are all pretty good at providing plenty of material to laugh at.)
Learn more about the incredible skills the chairs of your Chamber board possess. Join me at Your Conversation With our incoming Chair Bob Hottman—CEO of EKS&H—and our outgoing Chair Bob Deibel—president and owner of OfficeScapes. We meet at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19. Click here to sign up and meet these two incredible leaders.
Kelly Brough is the president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.