Think Bigger

CEO Message, Cindy Sheridan - Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association, leadership
January 16, 2025
By Cindy Sheridan

“Leadership is like going to the gym. It’s easy to status quo your way through.” Leave it to a Navy commander to compare effective leadership to a physical workout, but Mary Kelly – who also is a best-selling author and was a keynoter at PHCC’s CONNECT conference in October – knows that, in today’s fast-paced environment, if you’re not actively improving and thinking bigger, you’re inadvertently regressing. The military instilled in Kelly the importance of continuously evaluating our leadership approaches to enhance performance every single day.

A recent article from Associations Now Daily News emphasized that the modern challenge for leaders is to innovate – rethinking traditional leadership methods while adopting new strategies that nurture growth and resilience. Author Avi S. Olitzky suggests three essential strategies for leaders to break free from complacency and propel their organizations forward:

  • Deep Succession Planning: Leadership should be a shared responsibility woven throughout the entire organization. By viewing every team member as a potential leader, you create a culture of ownership and collaboration. Encourage employees to gain experience across various departments, and pair this with robust mentorship programs that promote growth.
  • Set Boundaries While Staying Connected: In an era where instant communication is the norm, leaders often feel pressured to be perpetually available. Find a balance between being available and responsive and maintaining boundaries so that you can focus on the big picture. Delegate tasks effectively; organize your schedule into manageable windows; and leverage technology to streamline your communication.
  • Pace Your Team: “Know when to push and when to pull back,” writes Olitzky. Break down larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks with regular assessments to prevent burnout, and make sure you integrate wellness initiatives into the workflow.

Confidence: It’s More Than a Persona
Sure, a confident leader goes a long way in instilling a positive culture in your business and inspiring your crew. But hard data suggests that the “well-being of the economy relies a lot on your personal attitude. No pressure!” writes Mark Athitakis for Associations Now Daily News.

A recent Ernst & Young report underscores that a lack of confidence among business leaders can precipitate or worsen economic downturns.” But being confident doesn’t just mean muscling through with a smile on your face. Rather, as Athitakis continues: “Confident CEOs make assessments of the threats their organizations face – economic, technological, sociopolitical – and tailor their decisions accordingly. This understanding is what sets confident leaders apart from the rest!

How to Muscle Through
Navigating prominent disruptions like AI advancements, regulatory changes, and supply chain issues requires more than confidence; it necessitates preparation and knowledge. Athitakis points out that leaders who are well-informed and proactive in these areas are the ones who are ahead of the curve.

Enter PHCC. We provide you with the data and give you access to industry peers and expert insights so that you can be one step ahead. PHCC’s government affairs team, for example, consistently advises you on how legislative updates and regulatory changes may impact your business … and your customers. PHCC’s business intelligence resources – such as our Insta-Intel reports – provide you with both economic and industry data and trends so you can respond strategically. PHCC also provides priceless access to information, resources, and education from all of PHCC’s Corporate Partners. As just one example, we’ve provided several educational opportunities just this year on how you can minimize cyber attacks through our partnership with Federated Insurance.

As Mary Kelly reminds us, “your people do not do well with uncertainty.” To foster a thriving organization, you as a leader must earn trust by equipping your crew with knowledge, investing in their professional development, and providing them with a clear vision of where your company is headed and how they fit in.

In a world that demands adaptability and resilience, your journey of leadership is an ongoing exercise – one that, when approached with intent and care, can yield extraordinary results.

Cindy Sheridan, CAE, is Chief Executive Officer of PHCC—National Association. With decades of association management experience – most recently as the Chief Operating Officer of the PHCC Educational Foundation – Sheridan and her team work to ensure that PHCC contractors are the best choice for professionalism, reliable products, and knowledgeable service.

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