palletcentral

July-August 2015

Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/536121

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 5 of 55

From June 17-19 of this year, the NWPCA Board and key staff met for our annual strategic planning session and board meeting. Last year, we expanded our summer board meeting from one day to two in order to accommodate a strategic planning session where we review our association's strategy and goals, and make any tweaks or changes necessary as our industry continues to evolve. At the board dinner the evening after the strategic planning session, Art Athens, a retired Marine colonel and Director of the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the U.S. Naval Academy, spoke to the group on the topic of leadership, but more specifically what separates extraordinary leaders from merely effective leaders. Colonel Athens is a powerful and polished speaker. I will not be able to capture in a one or two paragraph summary the depth which he provided, but I will summarize the key points for you to reflect on as all of us did following his talk. To illustrate the traits of extraordinary leaders, he used the story of a young Marine officer's first meeting his platoon sergeant, his second in command. Fresh out of college, this young Marine officer looked into the eyes of this battle-hardened hero and among other things asked him a question to the effect, "with all of your experience in training, combat and leadership, why would you follow me?" The platoon sergeant's response centered on three aspects of character: • Competence—Do you work hard, leverage what you know, and take every opportunity to learn and get better at your job? Do you recognize that others might have better answers, even your subordinates? We will follow you if you do. • Courage—Do you have integrity? Do you have the courage to make the right decisions, even if the right thing to do will cost you personally? Even your career? We will follow you if you do. • Compassion—Do you care about the people who work with you, or for you, as much as you care about yourself? Do you take the time to ensure they are taken care of and have what they need, physically, mentally and spiritually? We will follow you if you do. Colonel Athens went on to underscore that these three traits in, and of themselves, are not necessarily sufficient. Extraordinary leaders, those who truly command respect, also possess great humility. They do not showboat, brag, or take every opportunity to boost themselves, but pass the credit to those around them, realizing it is the team that gets it done. On his desk in the Oval Office, President Reagan kept a small plaque with the words: "There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he does not mind who gets the credit." I think that sums it up quite well. Have a great summer! Sincerely, Jim Schwab, Pallet Logistics of America NWPCA Chairman P U B L I S H E D B Y T H E N A T I O N A L W O O D E N P A L L E T & C O N T A I N E R A S S O C I A T I O N BOARD OFFICERS Chairman James Schwab, Pallet Logistics of America Chairman-Elect Steven Mazza, Bettaway Pallet Systems Past Chair Steven Yelland, J.F. Rohrbaugh Co., Inc. Secretary/Treasurer Shane Thompson, WestWind Logistics, LLC Director at Large Frank Shean, Valley Pallet Incorporated President/CEO Brent J. McClendon, CAE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Peter Berry, Berry Industrial Group, Inc. Clint Binley, Pallets Incorporated Hamlet Fort, Edwards Wood Products Keith Geiges, Treen Box & Pallet Corporation Frederic Haman, Tampa Pallet Company Lloyd Harper, Conner Industries, Inc. Larry Konz, Konz Wood Products Jeff Lewis, Atlanta Pallets & Services Terry Rodino, Recycled/New Pallets Bill Schneider, Remmey—The Pallet Company John Swenby, Paltech Group—Paltech Enterprises, Inc. Matthew Yancey, Dominion Pallet Company, Inc. International Director John Dye, Scott Pallets Associate's Representative Scott Harrington, Rotochopper, Inc. International Director Emeritus Jan Fredell, Fredells Travaru AB 2015 SEASON SPONSORS Brewer Machine & Parts, LLC tel: 800-345-6516 | brewerinc.com Kiln-Direct.com tel: 910-259-9794 | kiln-direct.com Mid Continent Nail Corporation tel: 800-867-6245 | magnumfasteners.com Pallet Machinery Group tel: 540-644-9220 | palletmachinery.com Pendu Manufacturing, Inc. tel: 717-354-4348 | pendu.com Profile Technology, Inc. tel: 800-369-4242 | profiletech.com Smart Products tel: 800-401-0099 | smartproductsinc.com Viking Engineering & Development tel: 800-328-2403 | vikingeng.com NWPCA CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE E xtraordinar y Leadership 6 PalletCentral • July-August 2015 palletcentral.com

Articles in this issue

view archives of palletcentral - July-August 2015